ALVISE CAGNAZZO: AC Milan wonderkid Francesco Camarda could be the new Michael Owen… as the 15-year-old sets his sights on becoming the youngest debutant in Serie A history on Saturday night

AC Milan teenage sensation Francesco Camarda could be the new golden boy of Italian football. 

His extraordinary rise is reminiscent to that of Michael Owen, who burst onto the scene at 1998 World Cup and went on to win the 2001 Ballon d’Or. 

Camarda doesn’t yet have a professional contract, but has already scored seven goals in 13 games at youth level and Stefano Pioli is considering bringing him into the first team squad for their clash with Fiorentina on Saturday. 

Compared to Owen, he has greater physical strength but less technique. Camarda can represent for the Rossoneri club what Owen represented for Liverpool: an icon, a flag to wave to remember how the academies of the top Italian clubs can produce exceptional talent.

Camarda, who is only 15, still needs to strengthen physically, but after growing a few centimetres over the summer, he now stands at a little over 6ft. 

Francesco Camarda (above) could do the same at AC Milan, and is on the brink of making his senior debut

He has just taken his place in the Milan first team dressing room while his peers are busy at school from Monday to Friday. He is living a dream, but must be careful not to get ahead of himself. 

Owen was part of a Liverpool side with great expectations on them, but Milan won the Scudetto just 18 months ago and this could ease the pressure on Camarda as he looks to make his way in the senior game.

As a child, he was also interested in kickboxing and his muscular elasticity combined with the speed of his movements could be the new unpredictable weapon of the Milan attack. 

Owen had a different physical structure and an impressive technique that is not even remotely comparable to that of Camarda. However, both have received the backing of a huge club, and the Milan striker has the same angelic face as the former English forward.

Camarda follows in Donnarumma’s footsteps

In the Rossoneri youth teams, Camarda has already scored around 400 goals, when taking into account 5-a-side, 7-a-side and 8-a-side matches. 

The entire Milan staff see similarities between Camarda and Gianluigi Donnarumma, who became the first team keeper at 16 after starring for the academy.

Camarda must keep his feet on the ground, but he dedicates his whole life to football. 

He is an player who makes converting crosses from winger and full backs look easy, while he also stays behind after every training session to practice overhead kicks, proving he is no ordinary striker.

Former Milan boss Sinisa Mihajlovic handed Donnarumma his debut in 2015, and Pioli could ensure Camarda follows in his footsteps by putting him on the pitch sooner rather than later.

Gianluigi Donnarumma (pictured) became a star at Milan after making his debut aged 16

History awaits Camarda

Camarda playing on Saturday evening at San Siro would represent a historic record for Italian football.

He would become the youngest debutant in Serie A at 15 years and 259 days, surpassing Bologna’s prodigy Wisdom Amey, who played in the Italian top flight at 15 years, 9 months and 1 day in May 2021. 

Camarda would surpass the legendary Paolo Maldini, who made more than 500 appearances for the club following his Serie A debut in January 1985 in Perugia at 16 years and six months of age.

The San Siro crowd can’t wait to welcome Camarda, but Pioli knows well that the atmosphere can be an issue for young players if they make mistakes. 

When the stadium blows the whistle, the boos and jeers can cause players to freeze, and we must not forget that Camarda is a teenager and not yet an established man.

Camarda would break Paolo Maldini’s record of being Milan’s youngest ever Serie A debutant if he plays on Saturday night

Pioli has permission to call on Camarda

Players under the age of 16 must obtain permission from the FIGC to join the first team, and Camarda has been granted this so will be available on Saturday.

On his social channels, there is also a photo with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whom he met when he was 12. The former Swedish star is close to returning to Italy for potential coaching roles and could become a mentor for Camarda.

With Noah Okafor and Rafael Leao injured, plus Olivier Giroud suspended, Pioli is likely to fast-track Camarda into the squad for the game against Fiorentina.

Camarda took a picture with former Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he was 12 

Camarda idolises the Brazilian Ronaldo, and is destined for stardom

The centre forward born in Milan in 2008 has already left his mark in this season’s UEFA Youth League, scoring two goals against Newcastle in the 4-0 victory, and then a spectacular overhead kick against PSG to hand Milan a 3-2 win. 

He has already played for the first team in a summer friendly match against Trento, and the young star has a very important agent in Beppe Riso. 

Camarda’s dream is to become a star for Milan, and, considering Giroud’s age and Luka Jovic’s failure to convince, he could become an important member of the senior side straight away.

Camarda has Milan’s DNA in his blood, and has revealed he idolised the Brazilian Ronaldo, who played for the Rossoneri, growing up. 

Speaking to the official FIGC channel, he said: ‘My idol has always been Ronaldo, the Phenomenon. My dad was also a big fan of the Brazilian and I also like watching videos with his plays and his movements.’

Camarda’s idol is the Brazilian Ronaldo, who had a brief spell at AC Milan the mid-2000s