Hyped by Zlatan, Hidden by Maldini: Italy’s Rising Star Francesco Camarda

Published: 17 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. English Chronicle Online

Italian football may have just unearthed its next prodigious striker in Francesco Camarda, a 17-year-old AC Milan forward whose talent has quietly been nurtured away from the limelight. While Inter Milan’s 20-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito recently celebrated his first goal for Italy against Estonia, Camarda, three years his junior, is generating equal excitement for his precocious ability to dominate in front of goal.

Camarda first made history on 25 November 2023 when he debuted for AC Milan at just 15 years, eight months, and 13 days, breaking Paolo Maldini’s long-standing record as the youngest player to appear for the club. That debut required a special exemption from the Italian FA, as regulations typically prevent players under 16 from featuring in Serie A. Since then, he has continued to break records, including becoming the youngest Serie A scorer for Lecce—where he is currently on loan—at 17 years and six months, as well as the youngest Italian to score for the Under-21 national team, netting a confident Panenka penalty against Sweden.

Camarda’s trajectory has been meteoric. He made his Champions League debut at 16 years and 226 days against Club Brugge, becoming both Milan and Italy’s youngest player in the competition, even though his first goal was disallowed by VAR. At youth international level, he has consistently shone, most notably at the 2024 European Under-17 Championship where, despite being a year younger than many teammates, he scored four goals, including two in the final, and earned both the tournament’s top player award and the championship title.

Managers and coaches have been quick to praise Camarda’s unique qualities. Massimiliano Favo, who guided Italy’s Under-17s to European glory, described him as a striker whose composure, spatial awareness, and ruthlessness in front of goal are unmatched for his age. Angelo Carbone, former head of Milan’s youth academy, highlighted the striker’s innate football intelligence, noting that even at seven years old, Camarda’s decision-making and positioning were already exceptional.

The youngster’s rise has not gone unnoticed. AC Milan have taken deliberate steps to shield him from media attention, allowing his performances to speak for themselves. Even football legends have weighed in—Zlatan Ibrahimovic, impressed by Camarda’s early ambition, shared a childhood message the boy had sent him in 2019, revealing his determination and love for Milan.

Despite the burgeoning hype, Camarda remains grounded. “Honestly, I don’t think about it much,” he says. “People say I’m destined for greatness—I just focus on the present, day by day, trying to enjoy myself and give my best for both club and country.” His approach appears to be paying dividends: already a prolific scorer with over 500 goals in youth competitions, he continues to add to his tally, most recently netting two goals for Italy’s Under-21s against Armenia.

AC Milan have demonstrated their commitment to Camarda’s future, securing his services until 2028 despite interest from clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Manchester City. Coaches and scouts remain united in their assessment: while the young striker still has years of development ahead, he possesses the skill, intelligence, and temperament to become a defining figure in Italian football.

As fans and pundits watch with anticipation, the question lingers: how high can Francesco Camarda climb? If his early career is any indication, Italian football may be witnessing the emergence of a generational talent, carefully nurtured, quietly ambitious, and potentially destined for stardom on the global stage.