In an interview with CalcioMercato.com, Inter youngster Lorenzo Pirola has shared his delight following his first call up to the Italian under 19 national team.
“It makes me very happy to have been called into the under 19 national team. It has been a while since I have been involved with any national team since I was busy with the under 17 World Cup. I am very happy with the growth path I am taking,” he began.
He then reminisced about the under 17 World Cup in Brazil that took place last year.
“We were in Brazil for a month and I always had a great time with the whole group of guys, we were all very close with one another.
“It was a fantastic month and in my opinion the tournament helped me grow more as a man. Playing in a World Cup is not something that happens to everyone.”
Next he was asked how it felt to be part of the first team during pre-season and how he has found training with the first team players.
“Being in the pre-season retreat with the first team and making my debut, was a fantastic experience and an honour and I think it has really helped me a lot in my growth.
“When you are young it always helps to work with people with more experience than you. This applies not only at Inter but also with the under 19 national team where I can test myself with boys older than me.”
He was then asked where he feels he can still improve his game and if he has any players he likes to try and learn from.
“I can still improve on a lot of things. I am not even 18 yet and therefore I try to learn as much as possible from everyone and overtime we will see what type of player I will be come.
“When working and training with the Inter first team, I try to learn from all of them. Some of them are among the best players in their role in the world and they have always been very helpful to me.”
In conclusion, he was asked what his dreams for the near future.
“Obviously I live in the present, so the dream today is to try to prepare myself as best I can and try to make myself ready for such an important event in the Elite phase of the Under-19 European Championship’s that will be played in Italy and therefore we will have a nice responsibility.
“Of course, I have the desire to make my first team debut in the future, but like everyone else, I think the best thing would be to wear the jersey of the major national team and win a trophy with Italy.”
The 17-year-old centre back, who can play on either the left or the right at the heart of the defence, has come through the academy ranks at Inter and has been a regular in the Primavera team this season having made 17 appearances across all competitions.
