Como's Cassano called up to Italy at 17, before Serie A debut
Riccardo Cassano, defensive midfielder from Lombardy, makes history as the first 2009-born player called up by Mancini to the senior squad. The Como playmaker has yet to feature in professional football.
At seventeen, Riccardo Cassano has received the call-up from the senior Italy squad for the final two Nations League matches against France and Belgium. The Como midfielder represents a rare occurrence in Italian football: selected for the Azzurri without having yet made a professional appearance. Developed through Como's youth academy, he accumulated 26 appearances last season with the Primavera team, recording 4 assists, and is also competing in the UEFA Youth League.
Cesc Fabregas, Como's head coach, has believed in the young playmaker's potential from early on, bringing him to train with the first team and comparing his qualities to those of Sergio Busquets and Andrea Pirlo. Cassano possesses technique, game vision, and the ability to orchestrate play from in front of the defence, with particular strength in long-range passing. Last summer he made his debut in a friendly against Liverpool, featuring for 17 minutes. Three other young prospects received call-ups alongside him: Mattia Liberali (Como), Simone Lontani (Parma), and a Milan player. However, Cassano remains the youngest of the group and the first of his generation to reach the senior squad, before even stepping onto a Serie A pitch.