Camarda takes over Lecce: "The penalty area is my life's work."

Work, work, and more work, with great humility and a strong desire to do well. It's with this "programme" that Francesco Camarda introduces himself to the Lecce fans. "I'm a central striker," says the 17-year-old AC Milan graduate. "My 'bread and butter' is the penalty area, making the right moves in the opposition's penalty area, and breaking away from my man. I need to improve, especially outside the box. I'm quick and quite physical. I work every day to improve because I always want to add something to my game. At Lecce, I'm determined to make the most of every opportunity I get. The Salento club has placed their trust in me, and I want to repay it, also to make the fans, who are very passionate, happy."

He's come through the ranks of the various youth national teams, and his goals contributed to the Under-17 European Championship victory in June 2024. It's inevitable that, in the medium term, he'll also be looked at for the senior team. "The future is built and also depends on the present, so I'm focused only on the next championship." He's scored countless goals in the youth ranks: "I'm a calm guy. I never think about what I've achieved. The positive statistics about me are nice, but nothing more. After all, a striker needs a team, otherwise he doesn't score. I'm still the same and I want to improve day after day, consistently, giving my all."

He clarifies that the decision to join Lecce was his own: "My parents' advice is invaluable. Then I listen to the opinions of friends and teammates. But the decision to accept the offer from the Salento club was made by me, with my agent. The trust I felt in me was decisive. This circumstance gave me a great push to opt for the Giallorossi club." His approach to the Lecce world was positive: "I was welcomed well. I established a good relationship with everyone. Some have shown me more confidence and some less, but it depends on each person's character. I tell the fans to support us with warmth and passion. We'll give our all to do well and see them rejoice." By a strange twist of fate, his first time at the "Via del Mare" will coincide with the match against his native Milan, on August 29th: "I grew up at the Rossoneri club since I was a child. It's like a second home. I'll face my former teammates, but my present is Lecce and I'll give everything for the Giallorossi shirt because we want to do well straight away in front of our fans."

He made his Champions League debut (at 16 years and 226 days, becoming the youngest Italian ever to play in a Champions League match) against Club Brugge, scoring a goal that was later disallowed by VAR: "It was an unforgettable evening, during which I felt such strong emotions that I can't describe. I'm disappointed about the disallowed goal, but it was still an incentive to always want to give more."

He assures that he doesn't feel the pressure: "Football is my passion. I had a dream as a child, and I still have the same dream." He will turn 18 on March 18, 2026, during the tournament, between matches against Cremonese and Napoli. His coming of age should be celebrated in a fitting manner: "I haven't thought about how to toast. What's certain is that the best gift would be for Lecce to win both matches and maybe for me to score." He admits he has set a goal target: "That's right, but don't ask me what the figure is. At the end of the season, I'll honestly say whether I've reached it or not. My personal goal is to score as many goals as possible. The team's goal is to earn as many points as possible." He doesn't reveal the qualities he favors in his teammates: "On the pitch, there are technical and tactical situations that are created based on the coach's principles, and others that are determined by the qualities of individuals. It's important to me that the group is united both on and off the pitch. My teammates will always see me working hard. I'll be there for them at all times."

He's always played for AC Milan. By moving to Lecce, over a thousand kilometers from his native Milan, he cut the umbilical cord with the Rossoneri: "My parents have always supported me, even on away trips. When they found out the Salento club wanted me, they asked me if I was open to the move, and when I said 'yes,' they supported my decision. They'll come with me and be by my side."