The Azzurri’s Youth Teams are growing and dreaming big in what can be described as an “Azzurri Spring”. The Under 17’s and Under 19’s are looking to their respective European Championship campaigns in Estonia and Wales, while the players of the Under 21’s are dreaming of a place in the First Team squad for the upcoming friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece. One of the key figures of this ‘Spring’ is Jeff Ekhator, who spoke to Azzurro TV in an exclusive interview. 

CAREER. Born in Genoa in November 2006, Ekhator – who says that he’s inspired by Usain Bolt and sees Moise Kean as a point of reference – also scored on the most recent Serie A matchday (his third goal of the season): a crucial strike that allowed Genoa to win away at Pisa and nearly secure mathematical safety. Over the course of his career, Ekhator has often fast-tracked his development: “I never expected to be on such a quick path, because there are many players who deserve it. In September, I had been called up to the Under 20s, then Camarda’s injury gave me the opportunity to move straight up to the Under 21s.” A rapid journey that began at the parish field with friends and has continued entirely in a Genoa shirt: “Sampdoria also called me, but I chose the Rossoblù. I started watching their matches and that’s when my love for the team I now play for began.” Genoa’s youth sector has a great tradition, and with them Ekhator fulfilled a first major dream by winning the Under 18 Professional Championship in 2024 (alongside fellow Azzurrini Ahanor and Venturino). “More than the final against Roma, I remember the emotions of the semi-final against Inter. Our captain Stefano Arata had just lost his mother, but despite that, he was on the pitch with us. He scored the winning goal at the end of extra time (5-4 the final score, AET.): it was incredible.”

KEY FIGURES. Ekhator has developed at Genoa under the guidance of an Azzurri legend, Daniele De Rossi; “He always tells me that I need to stay in the penalty area a bit more and he really cares about me doing well with the national team”, where he has also found a figure like Baldini, “who is a straightforward person: he always says what he thinks. He knows what he’s doing and works for our good, to help us go as far as possible.” Jeff is also constantly supported at home: “My parents, who are both Nigerian, came to Italy to work and we are a happy family. At home we speak both languages and I would like to go to Nigeria, maybe this summer, because I’ve never been there. Mum and dad have always been my biggest support: they always tell me to stay humble and to give my best, even if I don’t play or only get five minutes.”