Italy nominates Nürnberg star Zoma for Nations League debut
The 22‑year‑old winger Mohamed Ali Zoma of 1. FC Nürnberg has taken another step in his career: coach Roberto Mancini has called him up to Italy’s 34‑man A national team, so Zoma can aim for his international debut during the upcoming international break. The rise of the young attacker was explicitly praised by the Italian technical department.
Mancini, who took over the Azzurri after a disappointing World Cup qualification, placed Zoma in the 34‑man squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Belgium, Turkey (twice) and France. The 22‑year‑old player is expected to make his debut in this period and thus become part of Mancini’s plan to revive the era of the Italian national team.
Market value and contract
Zoma’s market value has risen to eight million euros since the summer, after he turned down an offer from West Ham United worth up to twenty million euros. 1. FC Nürnberg has contracted the player until 2029, with no release clause agreed.
The rapid rise of the Nürnberg winger has caused a stir in the specialist press, as he progressed from a Regionalliga breakthrough to an international candidate in a short time.
Italy seeks advantage in the Nations League against Turkey
BVB youngster Samuele Inacio also in the squad
The 18‑year‑old Samuele Inacio, a BVB youngster, also received another place in the Italian A squad. Inacio, who moved from Atalanta Bergamo to Dortmund’s U19 in 2014, made his A‑international debut for Italy already in early June in a friendly against Luxembourg.
Although, because of his Brazilian heritage, he could also have played for Brazil, Inacio has definitively chosen Italy and is expected to feature in the Nations League as well.
Mancini, four‑time World Cup winner, is trying after three missed World Cup appearances to bring the Italian national team back to the top. The upcoming Nations League fixtures are seen as the first test for his new generation.
Mancini experiments: Italy beats Turkey and responds to the Belgian
If Zoma receives his debut in the upcoming break, he could not only boost his personal career but also send an important signal for the youth development of Italian football.