Cassano: ‘Mancini has given me a wonderful opportunity, a dream come true’

Riccardo Cassano in pre-season action with Como (@richi.cassa via Instagram)

Riccardo Cassano has spoken about the ‘wonderful opportunity’ he has been handed by Italy national team head coach Roberto Mancini and says that his call-up to the senior squad is ‘a dream come true’. 

Cassano talks Italy call-up and U17 World Cup hopes

17-year-old Cassano was the most surprising inclusion in Mancini’s latest Italy national team squad. His first call-up came before his first competitive appearance for Como’s senior side: All of his appearances at club level this season have come either in the Primavera league or in the UEFA Youth League. 

• Read more: Mancini’s latest Italy is his youngest ever, even without Cassano and Lontani

The talented teenager has been given an opportunity to train with the senior squad and prove his worth in front of Mancini and his staff for the first few days of the international break, but will then drop back down the age groups ahead of the upcoming U17 World Cup in Qatar kicking off next week. 

Cassano has spoken about his first call-up to the senior Italy squad in an interview on the Como website. 

“Head coach Roberto Mancini has given me a wonderful opportunity – a dream come true for anyone my age,” said the 17-year-old Cassano. 

“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me achieve this small goal: from the Primavera manager Gianluca Falsini to the first-team manager Cesc Fàbregas, as well as all the coaches I’ve had over the years. 

“I just have to thank everyone who has supported me and who continues to support me on this journey.” 

Cassano wants to make the most of his first few days with the senior Italy squad before taking part in the U17 World Cup in Qatar. 

“I’ll try to make the most of this opportunity to be called up to the senior national team by showing Coach Mancini what I’m capable of. Then another wonderful experience awaits me: the World Cup in Qatar. We’re a strong squad; in my opinion, we’ve got all the right qualities to go a long way.”