- 21 hours ago
Who is Francesco Camarda? The ‘Italian Benzema’ wanted by Man City with 483 goals in 87 games
Carlo Garganese
- 7 Nov 2023 14:16 GMT
- 7 min read
Francesco Camarda is the new sensation of Italian football.
Not since Mario Balotelli burst onto the scene has there been so much excitement about a teenage Italian striker.
It is easy to see why as the 15-year-old AC Milan star has scored hundreds of goals at youth level.
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This has resulted in many of Europe’s biggest clubs targeting him.
So who is Camarda?
What club does Camarda play for?
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What position does Camarda play in?
Camarda is a striker, a number 9. He is best suited to playing in the centre of a 4-3-3 system.
However, he is a complete attacker who is also adaptable.
How good is Camarda?
Camarda is considered the most exciting teenager in Italian football due to a frankly ridiculous goal record at youth level.
He has broken record after record, scoring 483 goals in 87 games for Milan’s youth sides between 2017 and 2020.
He has continued to be prolific since then for both Milan and Italy’s youth sides.
Camarda is playing well above his age category. He has scored three goals in as many games for Italy’s Under-17s.
In September 2023, he scored a double for Milan in the UEFA Youth League (Under-19 age category) in a 4-0 win over Newcastle. This made him the youngest ever Italian to score in the competition at 15 years and 195 days. In November, he netted a spectacular overhead kick against PSG in the same competition.
🤯 Camarda that is INSANE!
💪 #ACMilan Primavera are now up 2-0 against PSGpic.twitter.com/aqj1RVieiK— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) November 7, 2023
As of November 2023 he has scored six goals in 10 games for Milan’s Primavera team despite playing with players four years older than him.
The respected FootballTalentScout.net claims that “Camarda has world-class potential”.
He is described by the youth football website as being a “complete forward, a tall player (at 6ft already) who is an excellent combination of a target man, poacher, and deep-lying forward.
Camarda boasts “killer instinct, great off-the-ball movement, above-average decision-making, timing, intelligence, composure, and flair in the final third.
“He is a clinical finisher with a wide range of finishing skills with both feet. He is very skillful at beating his markers and evading pressure.
“I’m addition to his goalscoring ability, he is also a team player who is capable of creating chances and assisting goals for teammates.
“His physical power and intellect let him play fruitfully with his back to the goal. He is very good at connecting with midfield and attacking partners.”
Camarda is also described as being a good dribbler, very strong and difficult to knock off the ball, and aerially a threat in the box. He also presses well from the front.
FootballTalentscout compares Camarda to Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema. Camarda’s idol growing up was Brazilian legend Ronaldo. He also is a fan of Zlatan Ibrahimovic but says that he models his game on Benzema.
What clubs are interested in Camarda?
Both Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Camarda, according to multiple reports.
Both clubs have sent scouts to watch the teenager play in recent weeks. Dortmund have a great recent record developing teenagers such as Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland.
A host of other top European clubs are also said to be interested in Camarda.
They are already believed to be working on an official professional contract for Camarda to sign when he turns 16 in March 2024.
How old is Camarda?
Camarda was born on 10 March 2008. He is 15.
