At just 16 years old, Francesco Camarda is not ready to take a break. There will be plenty of time for that later. The young talent from AC Milan is set to join the team in the United States, surprising many who did not expect him to be part of the summer tour due to his recent commitments.
Camarda has had a busy schedule: he played in the Primavera championship until mid-May, then starred in the Under-17 European Championship from late May to June, where he celebrated winning the title. After returning to Milan, he participated in the quarter-finals of the Under-17 Scudetto against Roma. He took a brief rest before being called up to the Under-19 squad, where he played in another European tournament from mid-July. After just a week off, it’s time to start again.
AC Milan plans to manage Camarda’s workload, but witnessing his presence with the first team in the U.S. will be a fascinating experience. It signifies his growing importance within the club. There is a chance he might get some playing time during the games in Chicago (against Real Madrid on the night of July 31 to August 1) and in Baltimore (against Barcelona from August 6 to 7). However, the key for him will be to integrate into the squad, engage with the senior players daily, and experience life in the U.S. during his first overseas tour.
Some American fans may already recognize him. This season, Camarda will function as a forward for Milan Futuro, with various roles still to be determined. He is set to play in Serie C, sharing a locker room with older teammates, facing off against grown men on the pitch. Although Serie C today may not be as tough as in years past, it’s definitely not going to be a walk in the park.
The first team serves as a reference for him, especially since Milan Futuro will train at Milanello alongside coach Paulo Fonseca. There will be opportunities for Camarda to train with the senior squad several times. Whether he will become the third striker for the first team remains uncertain. His tour in the United States, following his limited appearances in Serie A last season, may provide some answers.
