The Italian national team are working on getting a passport for 17-year-old Velez Sarsfield winger Gianluca Prestianni, with the hopes of naturalising the Argentine-born forward and securing his services to play for the Azzurri.
Gianluca Prestianni, dubbed the 'new Messi', according to Tuttosport, Benfica is one of several European clubs in the race to sign the Argentine prodigy. "Everybody wants it", writes the newspaper about the "jewel".
The diminutive Prestianni is enjoying a decent breakthrough season with Primera Division side Velez, having made his debut in the Copa Libertadores as a 16-year-old in May, 2022.
Despite having just nine league appearances to his name, Prestianni has been attracting the interest of some of Europe’s biggest club sides, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both reported to be monitoring his situation.
The young South American starlet has some experience at youth international level, with two goals from five appearances in Argentina’s U-17 team over the course of the last 12 months.
Through his heritage, Prestianni will be eligible to represent Italy at international level, although he does not currently hold a passport, which would be required if he were to line up for Roberto Mancini’s side.
The Italian federation are working on the matter and if all runs smoothly, Prestianni could receive a passport within a month according to reports in Calciomercato.
Then, there lies the small issue of convincing him to abandon Argentina in favour of playing for Italy.
Mancini and his team will need to use the same level of persuasion as they did with Mateo Retegui if they are to convince him to turn out for Italy for the rest of his career.
gbotemioluwa
5
So many Messi but we all know that we only have one Messi ,which is Lionel Messi,THE FOOTBALL himself
boydaza
0
They are so many players like Ronaldo bt it's hard to find someone like Messi
Where do you see those, sarcasm
muhilruz
3
They are so many players like Ronaldo bt it's hard to find someone like Messi
wizdikmops
1
if Argentina has a new messi then thats Garnacho that man united kid z too good
JosephLuciano
0
it's very sad that we have to go somewhere else to find soccer players for our national team... very sad
Cristiano_utd
1
I’m a Ronaldo fan but pleaseeee stop using his name likes this. He’s one of the best of all time and
Kelliho1-FCB
0
It’s really funny to read such Title … what stupid… De Jong is the best player in ……. Simply Messi is gift from God and Ronalo made of fitness and gym and trainings and exercises
So Messi doesn’t train?
kamaludinho
1
i never heard of new cr7🐐
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being the next Ronaldo doesn't sell as much as being the next messi, it's best hype to labeled next messi
Alnubi
0
It always Messi but not Ronaldo. that alone must tell you the 🐐.
It’s really funny to read such Title … what stupid… De Jong is the best player in ……. Simply Messi is gift from God and Ronalo made of fitness and gym and trainings and exercises
MikaelGuerrero
1
who makes this article headline everytime they say new Messi they end up injured or money take control of them and they starts getting lazy and they fall off💀
Zezaikms
1
i never heard of new cr7🐐
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because there's none and they'll never be one. Messi too.
Yoeadklor
0
Lol Italians are now shopping in ARG because they don’t produce good quality forwards anymore 😁
That's a fact👍..and that trend didn't start today .
Yoeadklor
1
Hm How does one convince a young Argentina prospect, who's never been to Italy or Europe to play for another country when his career is just starting. Italy's has had enough Brazilians, now they want Argentines too?.
martin_bhengu
1
They'll never be a new messi
wuraayo
3
If he agrees that he is the "next messi" then he knows where to start.
maturidikxith
4
i never heard of new cr7🐐
semdemopru
2
everybody right now wants new messi, new ronaldo, new Ronaldinho, new Neymar and so on to make the football world more excited as Messi and Ronaldo don't have much more time anymore and they will retire soon
Sabacekmst
2
It always Messi but not Ronaldo. that alone must tell you the 🐐.
Speciaal0ne
7
Lol Italians are now shopping in ARG because they don’t produce good quality forwards anymore 😁
kopeimoyz
2
the Italians...