Italy's next big star was born after Buffon's international debut

Italian football was plunged into crisis in November of last year, when the 'Azzurri' failed to qualify for a World Cup for the first time in 60 years.

Much has been said about the failure, and one of the most obvious reasons is the ageing nature of Italy's squad. Veterans such as Andrea Pirlo, Andrea Barzagli, Daniele De Rossi, Gigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini are all either retired or on the verge of retirement, and it is clear that Italy need to rejuvenate if they are to return to their status as one of the world's greatest footballing nations.

One man who is igniting hopes of such rejuvenation in Italy is Patrick Cutrone. Cutrone is just 20 years old, but is already one of AC Milan's best players. The young forward is AC's top scorer this season so far, and leads the line for the 'Rossoneri', scoring 7 goals in his 20 appearances.

If the starlet achieves his potential, he could become a hero for both his club side and his country. He has shown signs of maturity past his years, and Italy will hope that Cutrone can be the man to begin a rebirth of the Italian national side. He made his debut for the international side on Friday, as Italy faced Argentina in a friendly.

Incredibly, by the time Cutrone was born, on January 3 1998, Gigi Buffon had already had his first call up for the 'Azzurri', receiving his first cap two months before the Milan forward breathed his first breath.

 

20 March 2018