Italy legend Gianni Rivera claims 15-year-old Pietro Pellegri “is ready” and that his breakthrough “is really good news” for the country’s youth development.
Pellegri became Serie A’s youngest-ever player on Thursday during Genoa’s 1-0 defeat to Torino, the striker aged just 15 years and 280 days, and Rivera is hoping the teenager sets a precedent in Italy.
Italy legend Gianni Rivera claims 15-year-old Pietro Pellegri “is ready” and that his breakthrough “is really good news” for the country’s youth development.
Pellegri became Serie A’s youngest-ever player on Thursday during Genoa’s 1-0 defeat to Torino, the striker aged just 15 years and 280 days, and Rivera is hoping the teenager sets a precedent in Italy.
“I hope we can continue breaking these records. It means we can go back to believing in our youth,” th 73-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Congratulations to the boy, it’s good news for our football and important that, like at the moment, we continue believing in our young players.
“If he came on yesterday, it means he could play. It isn’t too early, he’s ready and hopefully we can start focusing on youth development again. It’s really good news.”
Image courtesy @genoacfc via Twitter