Who is AC Milan and Italy wonderkid Francesco Camarda?

Francesco Camarda has just announced himself to the world by winning player of the tournament at the 2024 UEFA European U-17 Championships, following in the footsteps of former winners such as Jadon Sancho, Steven Bergwijn, Toni Kroos, Cesc Fabregas and Wayne Rooney.

Camarda took the tournament by storm, scoring 4 important goals during Italy's venture into the final of the U-17 Euros, where they beat Portugal 3-0 to claim their first U-17 title in the nation's history.

AC Milan have a reputation for producing world-class talent, with players like Paulo Maldini, Sandro Tonali, Alessandro Costacurta and Gianluigi Donnarumma all flourishing under the Italian club's youth system.

Francesco Camarda, 16, has for some time been tipped to become the next generational talent produced by AC Milan.

The Italian youth international has now scored more than 500 goals for AC Milan youth teams across all ages, and averaging 5.45 goals per game with 485 goals in 89 matches.

Camarda eventually made his professional debut for the Rossoneri during their Serie A game against Fiorentina in November 2023, coming on as a substitute to become the youngest player in Serie A's history at 15 years and 260 days.

But what is it about Camarda that is exciting scouts across the world, and can this young wonderkid really make it to the top?

Francesco Camarda's youth career: Afforese to Milan

Camarda, born in the sleepy suburb of Affori in Milan, was almost destined to become a footballer.

His parents, Francesca and Manuel Camarda, were shocked when Francesco began to dribble the ball in the local park with such balance and precision at such a young age.

Manuel Camrda, a Milanista, eventually decided that Francesco should go for some casual training sessions at their local football academy, G.S.D Afforese, where Camarda would quickly become one of the academy's best young talents at just age 5.

Within a year, aged 6, AC Milan would come and scout the young player at the request of one of the coaches.

AC Milan signed the youngster to their prestigious Associazione Calcio Milan Youth Sector, the youth system of the Italian club.

In his first-ever training session, Francesco Camarda was played as a defender, but coaches quickly realised that the 6-year-old was incredibly adept at dribbling and finishing, meaning he would often find himself in and around the penalty area scoring goals.

Milan's youth coaches quickly moved him into midfield and then put him up top as a striker, where he has largely remained ever since due to his goalscoring ability.

After making waves in various youth tournaments across the globe, scoring 485 goals in just 89 matches for AC Milan's various youth teams, he was propelled into Stegano Pioli's first team with his stats becoming too impressive to ignore.

Although Camarda has made just 2 professional appearances for Milan in the 23/24 season, the experience he is gathering off the field has been staggering.

Reportedly the youngster is training at an incredibly high standard, impressing the older players with his professionalism and willingness to learn.

At just 16, Camarda still has a lot to learn, but he is surpassing players in his age group.

In the 2024 European U-17 Championships, Francesco Camarda was awarded player of the tournament, and became key to Italy's success at the tournament, bringing home their first European youth title.

AC Milan fans want to see more of Camarda, and with Oliver Giroud announcing his departure to the MLS, there may be an opportune opening for the youngster to gather more experience in Milan's first team.

He will need to become stronger, physically, to compete against Serie A defenders regularly and competently, but his footballing intelligence and technical ability make him one of the most exciting Italian prospects of this new generation of talent.

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