Manuel Lazzari received his first ever Italy call-up and the SPAL wing-back celebrated by looking back over some of his other firsts.
The game with Portugal kicks off on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) in Lisbon and is the second Azzurri match of the Nations League after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Poland.
“The first time I pulled on a football jersey was in Trissino, my home town, near Vicenza. It was love at first sight, as I always dreamed of doing this for a living,” Lazzari told the official FIGC Twitter feed.
Manuel Lazzari received his first ever Italy call-up and the SPAL wing-back celebrated by looking back over some of his other firsts.
The game with Portugal kicks off on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) in Lisbon and is the second Azzurri match of the Nations League after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Poland.
“The first time I pulled on a football jersey was in Trissino, my home town, near Vicenza. It was love at first sight, as I always dreamed of doing this for a living,” Lazzari told the official FIGC Twitter feed.
“My first trial was at Vicenza at the age of 12-13, and I ended up spending four years in their youth academy.”
When was the first time Lazzari cried over something truly important?
“When we secured promotion into Serie A for SPAL. I’ve been wearing the Number 29 jersey for the last three years, with SPAL in Serie B. My daughter was born on the 29th and so was my sister, so it has always been my favourite number.
“My first time at the Coverciano training ground was last Sunday evening. I got goosebumps, it was an indescribable emotion being here.”
Perhaps showing his age, the 24-year-old was asked the first time he cheered for an Italy goal.
“Certainly all of them at the 2006 World Cup.”
prime volte di Manuel #Lazzari
#ManuelLazzari è alla sua prima convocazione in #Nazionale