Zlatan Ibrahimovic has shared a message from an AC Milan wonderkid from five years ago.
He told the 17-year-old striker: “Now everybody knows your name!”
It came after Francesco Camarda sent Zlatan a message when no one knew who he was.
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But he then became the youngest ever Serie A footballer at 15 years, 260 days of age in November 2023.
Months later, he became the youngest Italian player to debut in the Champions League at 16 years and 226 days.
The AC Milan forward has joined Serie A side Lecce on loan for the season.
He scored his first-ever league goal in a 2-2 draw with Bologna on Sunday (28 Sep).
The promising forward scored the equaliser in the 94th minute, as reported by What’s The Jam.
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Following his breakthrough goal, Swedish football legend Zlatan took to social media to namecheck the lad.
He shared a message Francesco sent him from five years ago when he was 12 years old and playing in AC Milan’s academy.
In broken English, the budding footballer wrote on 30 December 2019: “I am Italian and I’m a big fan of AC Milan.
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“You are a big champion, thank you for coming to AC Milan.
“I would like to know you, and you are my hero.”
The following day, he added: “Ah! I play in Milan and my name is Francesco Camarda.”
Zlatan, who is an advisor to Milan’s owners RedBird Capital Partners, shared a screenshot of the teen’s message on social media yesterday (29 Sept).
The ex-Man Utd striker said: “31 Dec 2019: My name is Francesco Camarda.
“28 Sep 2025: Now everybody knows your name, not only me.”
One fan said, “Thank you for sharing this, Ibra, you surely made Francesco very happy! Forza Milan.”
“Blessed by Zlatan,” added Riccardo.
Valentin remarked: “2027, my name is Francesco ‘Champions League Winner’ Camarda.”
Zlatan had two playing spells for AC Milan during his career.
First, between 2010 and 2012 and again from 2019 to 2023.
On 4 June 2023, Zlatan announced his retirement from football aged 41 following Milan’s final game of the season.
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