'New Messi' Pellegri equals Serie A youngest debutant record

BeSoccer 7 years ago 586
HD Pietro Pellegri

The 15-year-old came off the bench against Torino, with his former manager having previously compared him to the Barcelona playmaker

Genoa striker Pietro Pellegri - who has been described as being the "new Messi" - has equalled the record for the youngest player to make their Serie A debut.

The teenager came off the bench in the closing stages of his side's 1-0 defeat to Torino on Thursday evening, making his first appearance at the age of 15 years and 280 days.

That equals the record set by Roma's Amedeo Amadei in 1937, who made his bow for the capital outfit at the exact same age.

Big things are expected of Italy under-17 international Pellegri, who is an imposing striker in the similar mould to Christian Vieri.

And former Genoa boss Gian Piero Gasperini has previously compared him to Barcelona star Lionel Messi, saying: "I have with me the new Messi — I just hope he can keep level headed!"

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