It was 1 June 2021 and midnight was approaching, but there was no sign of the press release to officially announce Italy’s 26-man squad for the European Championship. Roberto Mancini wanted to take as much time as possible to make his final decisions. One player on Mancio’s mind was 21-year-old Giacomo Raspadori, who was chasing a dream that, just a few days early, seemed impossible. The Head Coach had included him in his 33-man squad for the EURO 2020 preparation camp, an unexpected call-up for a youngster who still hadn’t even won his first senior cap: “I was having dinner with my family,” said Raspadori in an exclusive interview with Vivo Azzurro TV. “It was an amazing feeling to be called up. At the time, I struggled to comprehend it, also because I hadn’t been playing Serie A football for long.”

At Sassuolo, Roberto De Zerbi had given him his debut in the summer of 2019, in the 92nd minute of the final game of the season. The following campaign saw Giacomo get more playing time at first-team level: he made eleven appearances and scored his first two goals as a professional. The season after, he played 27 times, scoring six. But let’s return to the summer of 2021. After participating in the first part of the training camp with the National Team, Raspadori played 90 minutes for the U21s against Leao’s Portugal in the European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals. After going 3-1 behind, Italy produced a comeback to level the match before falling to a 5-3 defeat in extra time. 24 hours later, disappointment gave way to disbelief and then pure joy. “When I discovered I’d be part of the 26-man squad, I didn’t fully realise what I was about to experience. We all know what ended up happening. We won the Euros in brilliant fashion, and I was lucky to have taken part in such a competition. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

FOOTBALLING BROTHERS. Let's take a step back and look at how it all started. Born three years apart in Bentivoglio, a comune with around 6,000 inhabitants in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, Enrico and Giacomo are two brothers who share a strong bond. They played together at Progresso Calcio 1919, a historic club with a strong tradition of developing youth: “From a very young age, they had to kick me off the field because I was always driven by a strong passion that my dad and older brother had passed on to me. By the time I was one and a half, the ball was the main focus of my afternoons and mornings. Feeling such a strong passion keeps that fire burning, even in the most difficult moments.” The first big opportunity arrived, and Giacomo, as he would do in the future, seized it immediately: “During a tournament involving all the youth teams from our club, scouts from Sassuolo came to watch us. They were impressed by both of us, and my brother and I started a journey that would last for several years. My mum and my grandfather took turns driving us to training; it wasn’t easy to get to Sassuolo from Bologna.”

The Raspadori brothers were talented, and young Giacomo had a role model to follow: “For me, Enrico was better; he was the older brother. I tried to imitate him, and, as a result, I really pushed myself. I also realised his dream because he had this strong passion too. He always refers to a mental difference between us in terms of determination, but much of my willpower comes from the fact I had him as an example, a driving force to become the best I can be.” Football went from a hobby to a profession, but Giacomo never abandoned his studies: “My family never forced me to continue studying; I always thought it could be something extra for my journey. I hope my career lasts as long as possible, but this is a job with a relatively short lifespan. Therefore, I think it’s vital to have the opportunity to educate yourself, to build something for the future.” He is currently studying Sports Science: “I’m halfway through the programme. I became a father, so I’ve slowed down a bit in the last few months to help my girlfriend and daughter. But I want to return to the pace I was going at before.”

BOND WITH THE COACH. Giacomo Raspadori has scored seven goals for Italy, but two are particularly special to him: “My goal against England at San Siro was probably the most emotional one for me. I remember my parents were in the stands, and I managed, during my celebration, to spot them and dedicate the goal to them. Then, equally special, is my first goal against Lithuania in Reggio Emilia. At the time. I was still at Sassuolo, and I scored at my home stadium, making it extra special.” While Roberto Mancini was one of the first to believe in him, his bond with Luciano Spalletti dates back even further, long before the former Napoli coach took over the National Team: “I have a fantastic relationship with the coach. I was lucky to play under him at Napoli, and, even before that, when I was still at Sassuolo, he and Giuntoli made it clear that they wanted to bring me to Naples. He holds me in high regard, as shown by the fact that since he’s been in charge, I’ve always been called up, even during times when I wasn’t playing much. That’s not something to take for granted because there are many talented players. I can only thank him for that.”

AZZURRI OBJECTIVES. Between Napoli and the National Team, the future is blue: “I’m 24 now and don’t consider myself a youngster anymore, even though I might still be for many. I’m very ambitious and have several objectives. At this point in my career, I want to complete my development by aiming for more playing time and consistency, getting the minutes I need to express myself to the full. I’m confident in my abilities and believe I still have a lot to give.”