Francesco Camarda, a 2008-born Milan striker currently on loan at Lecce, met with very young students from the Marcelline Institute as part of the project "Draw with the Footballers" organized by Panini. Here are all his statements from the interview conducted, amid laughter and smiles, by the children present.
What is it like to go back to school?
"It’s a wonderful feeling. I’m studying online right now because I used to live in Milan… I miss being in the classroom with my friends."
You made your Serie A debut at 15. What did you feel?
"It was an amazing emotion. I was really small compared to the other players. It was a bit like a roller coaster. An indescribable feeling that I wish for all the boys and girls who play football. I hope you achieve all your dreams, because they’re memories you’ll never forget."
What’s the best goal you’ve scored? Camarda said:
"Good question. In terms of importance, I’d say the one with Lecce against Bologna: my first Serie A goal. It’s a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life. The most beautiful one was in a Milan-Cagliari match about two years ago. But the most important, for now, I’d say the one against Bologna."
Would you ever go play for Inter?
(Laughs) "Right now I’m at Lecce and I’m thinking about Lecce. What will happen in the future, you can never know, but for now let’s focus on this season."
When you were little, did you collect the Calciatori sticker album? Did you ever manage to finish it?
"As a kid I always tried to complete it, but I never managed to. This year I was actually thinking about starting to collect again, maybe you can help me."
From the field, can you always hear what the coach is shouting from the bench?
"It hardly ever happens. The fans make a lot of noise, they cheer and shout a lot. From the pitch you can almost only hear the crowd. In fact, in football they always say how important it is to talk, because teammates have to help each other."
Who was your favorite footballer as a child?
"I didn’t have just one in particular, but I watched a lot of players. For example Suárez, do you know him? Him, Ibrahimović, Ronaldo. There are many. It’s the best thing you can do: take inspiration from several players to keep improving."
What do you think when you concede a goal?
"There’s some disappointment. It’s not just bad for the goalkeeper but for the whole team. As a striker, when we concede and I see everyone feeling a bit down, it’s not nice. It’s a bad feeling. But it also gives you motivation to go and score one more goal."
What does it take to build a strong team?
"You definitely need trust between teammates; you need a good group. Of course, you need strong players too. But I think the most important thing is being a close-knit group. All united, like a family."
When did you start playing football? Camarda answered:
"I started at four and a half. Then at five I went to Milan. From age five until I was 16–17 I was at Milan, and now I’m here at Lecce."
Who is the strongest opponent you’ve ever faced?
"I think it’s Bremer from Juventus, who’s very strong. But I’ve faced many strong players like Gabbia at Milan, and Pavlović as well. I’ve faced de Vrij from Inter. There are a lot of strong players, but I think the toughest to go up against is Bremer from Juventus."
