It was only the first friendly of the summer, but the signs from Francesco Camarda were very positive in Glasgow on Saturday.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, the goals in the friendly against Celtic and the subsequent announcement by Ruben Amorim (“He will stay with us for the entire season”) sent two ‘unmistakable messages’.
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Camarda wants to play a leading role for Milan. At 18 years and four months old, the striker has a massive opportunity: to be part of the first team, and not merely as a youngster brought in to fill out the squad, but as a key contributor.
Gonçalo Ramos is the undisputed starter in attack, but the former Lecce loanee wants to play his part, contribute to the cause, and be ready whenever the Portuguese coach needs him. In the 2026–27 season, with the Diavolo also competing in the Europa League, he will certainly get his chances.
If he responds the way he did at Celtic Park, he will rack up far more appearances than the 10 league games he played in 2024–25. Francesco could be the new Milan’s surprise weapon. Those who know him insist he is ready for the challenge: he won’t let success go to his head, and will keep working hard.
Time to shine
This is not the time for comparisons, but it is clear that thoughts fly to the greats of the past. Indeed, to the idols of his youth, he who grew up on Milan glory. He played together with Seedorf’s son and had Kakà as his idol.
However, the Rossoneri legend inside Camarda is also linked to Baresi, Maldini, Costacurta and Albertini, all of whom came through the youth system. They are four of the immortals who started in the youth team and went on to celebrate Scudetti and Champions League titles.
The dream is to emulate their exploits even if he is too smart to say it now. He knows he has to take one step at a time, prove his worth one match after another. The most recent player who graduated and was able to find a permanent place in the first team squad was Davide Bartesaghi.
Davide Calabria – another product of the academy – was the last to wear the captain’s armband. Before him, Gianluigi Donnarumma had also done it. Camarda looks to the past and draws inspiration from there, while keeping his feet on the ground.
Rossonero for life?
After losing out on Mattia Liberali, Cardinale was quick and able to renew the contracts of Camarda and Christian Comotto, both locked until 2031 with an option until 2032. The pair are friends, and both hope to experience joy together with their boyhood club.
With them in the squad, Milan wanted to send a message of backing young players that all of Italian football should assimilate. Camarda is the youngest debutant in the history of Serie A: he made his debut on 25 November 2023, with Pioli on the bench, at 15 years, 8 months and 15 days.
Now, there are other records he is looking for. He wants to score the first ‘real’ goal for Milan in a competitive game, having come so close during that Champions League group stage game versus Club Brugge in 2024-25.
Today Camarda will land in Australia together with the team and will begin the march towards the season opener against Ignazio Abate’s Torino. As fate would have it, Abate was his first coach with Milan Primavera, so they know each other well.
Before that, there will be the Perth derby vs. Inter on August 5th, then the tests with Chelsea and Manchester United. Behind Gonçalo Ramos, Milan have another striker which means – in the event of Santi Gimenez’s departure – they can avoid spending money on a further addition to the department.
Camarda around quality players look good and is probably the way he should be developed (old school way for the extra talented). It might be a waste sending him on loan, unless it’s a club that is known for playing youths