Australian Cristian Volpato admits the goal three minutes into his senior Roma debut is a dream come true, why agent Francesco Totti is ‘a big brother’ and the advice he received from Jose Mourinho.
Volpato came off the bench with Hellas Verona leading 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico and within three minutes the 18-year-old had found the net, as a corner was only cleared as far as him to drill through a sea of legs.
He became the youngest player to score in Serie A this season, born in November 2003, only a few months younger than his Giallorossi teammate Felix Afena-Gyan.
Born in Sydney from Italian parents, Volpato is also the first client of Roma legend Totti’s talent agency to score in Serie A.
“I am very happy to have scored today, but also disappointed that we only got a draw,” he told DAZN after the 2-2 result.
“I came on to change the game. My approach is generally attacking, to try and invent something, so that’s what I did.”
Mourinho generally does not put much trust in young players, but teenagers Volpato and Edoardo Bove came off the bench to score and make up for the dismal first half.
“The coach told me to play it simple, focus on the final ball. Then I scored. My role has always been trequartista, but I can also play as a traditional Number 8.
“Mourinho is a top coach, he has won it all and I am trying to learn everything I can from him.”
Volpato also gets advice from his agent Totti, who was in the stands of the Stadio Olimpico today sat next to Daniele De Rossi.
“Totti is like a big brother to me, he always gives me so much advice and keeps a close eye on me. My objective for this season was just to get my debut.”
18-year-old Australian-born substitute Cristian Volpato pulls one back for Roma! ✨
A potentially huge goal for the hosts’ top-six ambitions ⚽ pic.twitter.com/nAErQp32Ei
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 19, 2022