Francesco Camarda is called up by coach Stefano Pioli for the match against Fiorentina tomorrow. He is only 15 years of age.
Due to an attacking emergency with Olivier Giroud's suspension and the injuries of Rafael Leao and Noah Okafor, Pioli will fill the bench with the teenage talent and could perhaps use his services on the field when needed.
This season, in the Youth League, he scored an overhead kick against PSG. A spectacular goal, but not his first: he had already scored two against Newcastle, the second-fastest brace in the competition's history. Ahead of him, another phenomenon like Youssufa Moukoko of Borussia Dortmund. And just a few days earlier, he became the first scorer born in 2008 in the Primavera championship.
Francesco Camarda definitely has a killer instinct in the box. He touches the ball only a few times throughout the match, but he already has the ruthless eyes and finishing abilities of an experienced centre-forward, writes Gianluca Di Marzio in his website.
At 15 years of age, he has scored over 400 goals in the Rossoneri's youth sector. This season, the club chose to move him up to the Primavera. At first, it seemed like a risky gamble, but in less than three months, he made his way to the first team.
This decision had already matured at the beginning of June, before the change in management. Former technical director Paolo Maldini had invited Camarda, his entourage, and family to Casa Milan's office to discuss the future of the 2008-born talent.
In this meeting, the legendary AC Milan player and former director had outlined the plan: straight to the Primavera and with a professional contract as soon as possible, at 16 years old.
Now, the direction of the technical-sporting area has shifted from Maldini-Massara to Moncada-D'Ottavio. But the project remains unchanged. Milan continues to work towards reaching an agreement with the family.
A family that has always followed him everywhere, on every away trip. United and with the value of humility. Now, the eyes of the entire world are on Camarda, a Rossoneri fan since childhood: at every Primavera game, there are scouts from every top European club in the stands. But Milan hopes that time flies by: March 2024 is circled in red on the calendar because that's when Camarda will turn 16 and will be able to sign.
Meanwhile, the first step is called San Siro. First team. The dream right now is to make the debut tomorrow at the iconic San Siro stadium.
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