AC Milan’s Stefano Pioli shows confidence in 15-year-old Francesco Camarda for Fiorentina clash

The teenage Italian may become the youngest player in Serie A history.

November 25, 2023

Ac Milan Young Talent Camarada To Be Called For Senior Team — Image via Getty Images

If Francesco Camarda isn’t a familiar name to you yet, there’s still time to catch up. AC Milan has made the bold decision to add the 15-year-old forward to their squad for the upcoming Fiorentina game at San Siro this Saturday. Born in Milan on March 10, 2008, Camarda recently turned 15 and is set to step onto the big stage for Milan.

Stefano Pioli’s team is facing a shortage of players with Noah Okafor and Rafael Leao injured, and Olivier Giroud suspended for two matches due to a red card against Lecce. Hence, Pioli opted to bring in the 15-year-old for this crucial game, confirming the decision in his pregame press briefing.

Pioli remarked, “Talent has no age. He is very young but from a character point of view he is already mature. He is happy to be with us and is ready if we need him.”

Camarda stands out as one of Italy’s most promising talents in the developmental ranks, showcasing his skills by netting seven goals in 13 games with AC Milan’s U-19 team under Ignazio Abate’s guidance. Notably, he excelled in the UEFA Youth League, scoring a brace against Newcastle and delivering a stunning bicycle kick against PSG in their recent fixture.

While Camarda primarily features with the youth squad, he has frequented first-team training sessions, even during preseason. Hailing from Milan, he’s been a devoted AC Milan supporter and began playing for the club at an even younger age. AC Milan is in talks with his family and agent to secure his future at the club and ward off potential interest from other top European clubs by negotiating a new contract.

Should Camarda make his debut, he’d etch his name in history as Serie A’s youngest debutant at 15 years and 259 days, surpassing Wisdom Amey, who debuted for Bologna at 15 years, nine months, and one day old in May 2021. This debut would also overshadow Paolo Maldini’s Serie A debut with Milan at 16 years and six months in January 1985.