From Atalanta's academy to scoring against Juventus: The Manuel Locatelli story
Manuel Locatelli has certainly grown over the past few months.
Ten years ago, the youngster joined Atalanta’s academy in Zingognia. The Orobici were the biggest local team for the Pescate native, but one famed for its academy.
A decade on, Locatelli has a role at AC Milan, even if the Rossoneri are potentially looking for a veteran alternative in midfielder. A promising distributor of the ball, the 18-year-old has already scored twice this season: the equaliser against Sassuolo in a game the Rossoneri eventually own 4-3… and the winner against rivals Juventus.
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This is quite impressive for a prodigy who only became an adult in January. Even more shockingly, Locatelli has become a star for fans all over the world, whether it was captaining Italy’s Under-19s to the Elite Phase of the European Champions… or when signing autographs.
As Locatelli himself described it on instagram, it was a “great moment”. Youngsters all over were flocking to him for selfies, as if he were already Andrea Pirlo. He’s one of them, and he’s made the big time.
Speaking to the Gazzetta, Locatelli also intends to follow his own example against Inter: “I’ve already scored against them [with one of Milan’s youth teams], chesting the ball down and firing it in from outside the box”.
Could it happen again? Juventus fans will be the first to warn Inter that miracles do happen, especially if the wand is being weaved by a precocious talent.
