Italy youth coach explains Camarda hype: “Never seen in anyone of his age”

Italy U18 national team boss Massimiliano Favo has seen things in Francesco Camarda that he has never seen before in someone so young.

Camarda scored his first Serie A goal at the age of just 17 years, six months and 18 days old during Lecce’s draw with Bologna in September, becoming the youngest top flight goalscorer in their history in the process.

Then, during the most recent international break, he became the youngest ever scorer for the Italy U21 national team too. On his Azzurrini debut against Sweden in a European Championship qualifier, he won a penalty and scored with a Panenka. He would then net a brace against Armenia days later.

Favo led Italy U17s to victory at the 2024 European Championship, and Camarda was his main striker during that run. He spoke to the BBC about the teenage sensation to shed some light on the impressions that he got.

“Sometimes, when he drops deep, he still looks a bit raw technically, but inside the box he’s a phenomenon. His ability to find the right place and to handle the ball and his ruthlessness when shooting are things I’ve never seen in anyone of his age,” he said.

“His hunger and the way he earns the respect of team-mates are his biggest strengths, even more than his natural scoring instinct, because he lives for goals. Maybe not right away, but in a few years, he’ll be a top player.”