The son of a former professional footballer, the top scorer at last year’s U17 European Championship and a rising talent at Borussia Dortmund, Samuele Inàcio is one of the 23 players selected by head coach Silvio Baldini for the June friendlies. Born in 2008 and having only recently turned 18, the Bergamo-born forward – son of former Napoli and Atalanta player João Batista Inácio, better known as Pià – scored his first senior Bundesliga goal less than a month ago in front of the famous Yellow Wall at the Westfalenstadion.

Now at Coverciano, Inàcio spoke to Vivo Azzurro TV, saying that the call-up means everything to him. “It’s a huge source of pride,” he said. “Every boy, every child dreams of playing in this shirt. For me, it’s a privilege.” The full interview is available from today on the FIGC’s OTT platform – click here to watch it.

“I was at home when the squad list was announced, and I couldn’t believe it when I saw my name. I thought to myself: I’ve made it. We’re talking about the senior national team here...” Still visibly excited by the call-up, he added: “Coming here alongside so many other young players, all of us in the same boat, is a great thing for Italy. And then there’s Gigio, who’s an idol for all of us. The first training session went really well: there’s a lot of quality in this group.”

Asked what convinced him to take on such a major challenge abroad, Inàcio replied: “The desire to experience new challenges and, of course, Borussia’s project, which immediately caught my attention.” What was his biggest dream as a child? “To get here, to where I am now, because so many phenomenal players have been in the same position. I’d like to take this shirt to the highest level too...”