{"id":201207,"date":"2025-10-09T22:32:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T22:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/201207\/"},"modified":"2025-10-09T22:32:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T22:32:11","slug":"italy-u21-star-camarda-never-thought-about-being-a-prodigy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/201207\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy U21 star Camarda ‘never thought’ about being a ‘prodigy’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"MILAN,<\/p>\n

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Francesco Camarda of US Lecce reacts during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

<\/a> <\/p>\n

Francesco Camarda says he takes inspiration from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but he \u2018never thought\u2019 about being destined for greatness.<\/p>\n

Camarda spoke at a press conference on Thursday, on the eve of Italy U21\u2019s game against Sweden in the UEFA EURO U21 qualifiers.<\/p>\n

The Lecce forward, on loan from Milan, has recently scored his first goal in Serie A, receiving praise from Rossoneri legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who showed an Instagram message he had received from Camarda in 2019.<\/a><\/p>\n

Camarda\u2019s message to Ibrahimovic\"ACAC Milan senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic smiles prior to the Italian Serie A football match between Unione Sportiva Sassuolo and AC Milan at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, on April 14, 2024. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI \/ AFP) (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cI was ten, he was a world-class footballer,\u201d Camarda said via TMW.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI respected him as I respect him now; he\u2019s somebody to take inspiration from for my career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Camarda is the youngest Serie A debutant, having made his first appearance in Italy\u2019s top flight in a Milan home game against Fiorentina on November 25, 2023, aged 15.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want moments like this when you start playing. The first goal, the debut,\u201d Camarda added.<\/p>\n

Camarda: First Serie A goal a \u2018starting point\u2019\"LECCE,LECCE, ITALY \u2013 SEPTEMBER 28: Francesco Camarda of US Lecce celebrates after scores his team\u2019s equalizing goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Via del Mare on September 28, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are the targets you have as a kid. Let\u2019s say that to have reached it gives me great satisfaction. It\u2019s a starting point, and I\u2019m more and more motivated to go as high as possible. I\u2019m here with the national team, and that\u2019s what I am focused on. I want to bring the three points to my teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n

Italy have been lacking a consistent goal-scorer in recent years, and Camarda is seen as a potential starter for the Azzurri in the coming years. However, the 17-year-old insisted he\u2019s never paid attention to outside noise.<\/p>\n

Asked how he copes with expectations from being destined for greatness, he replied: \u201cHonestly, I\u2019ve never thought about it. I always live in the present, day by day. I try to improve for the club and the national team and do the best I can. It\u2019s not up to me to say that I\u2019m a prodigy. I try to isolate myself as much as possible from everything.\u201d<\/p>\n


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