Alessandro Costacurta granted an interview to the microphones of SportWeek, the weekly magazine of Gazzetta dello Sport, about Francesco Camarda, a 16-year-old striker for AC Milan. Freshly signed to his first professional contract, the center-forward is preparing to experience a season alternating between the first team and the reserves.
"Watching Camarda now, how he plays against opponents who are two or three years older, the thought is that he truly could have a bright future. I follow youth football closely and I reiterate: I have never seen someone so strong at his age. Never seen. What strikes me? His movements inside and outside the box. He has a remarkable ability to free himself from defenders. It's something innate, something no one can teach you. It's pure instinct. I've seen few like him, moving away from the defender in the penalty area with just a body feint. It reminds me of Pippo Inzaghi. But let's also look at the first of his two goals scored against Portugal in the U17 European Championship final: in that solo effort, starting from the left, cutting inside, taking on his man twice, and scoring—Camarda shows it all. Movement off the ball, technique, but above all, composure."
Costacurta continued to talk about Francesco Camarda:
"He must continue to have this ambition, but with the modesty that has distinguished him so far. He needs to be surrounded by the right people, grow in a healthy environment, one that doesn't create problems or pressure. And Milan provides guarantees. If he manages all this well, he will certainly be a very important player for Italian football. I don't want to predict if he will become a superstar, but he will certainly be an important player. Under 23 team? He could still play for the Primavera, but I think that if he continues like this, within a year and a half to two years he could and should be playing in Serie A. But, in my opinion, he can already be in the orbit of the first team. Not necessarily as a starter, but he can fit in well behind the designated number 9. When the other isn't there, he plays."
