Alessio Riccardi is one of the three players born in 2001 (the other two being Inter's Eddie Salcedo and Juventus' Paolo Gozzi) to be called to the Italian national team by Roberto Mancini. Currently owned and playing for Roma, the 18-year-old has made 29 appearances for the Giallorossi's youth side, scoring eight goals and providing eight assists. For all three players, there is still a future to be written: "They are all still growing, they are all very young. Both Alessio and Salcedo are two very good guys technically - they can play in any of the offensive roles. Gozzi, on the other hand, is a very strong physically defender," stated Mancini.
"I had very strong emotions - I was in Trigoria when they told me about being selected and I started living a dream. The National team of the Greats, at Coverciano. It will be a crazy experience, I will enjoy the moment. I will try to do my best to express myself to the coach. My role? So far, I've played in several roles, but I prefer to play as a trequartista or mezzala," stated Riccardi. "I dream of winning with the Roma Primavera and the national team." Riccardi then sets clear goals for the coming summer. "My future? Now it doesn't count, I signed a renewal a few weeks ago. We'll see". But for the Giallorossi number 10, who grew up in the myth of Francesco Totti, there is a special dedication to Eusebio Di Francesco, the coach who made him debut this year in the first team: "I thank him so much for the opportunity he gave me and I will always be grateful to him."
