‘A Dream Come True’: Socceroo Teenager Alessandro Circati Scores For Parma

David Ferrini speaks with "Il Muro" during the Ducali's undefeated run

From obscurity to exaltation, Alessandro Circati’s career just keeps getting better. Following a call-up to Australia’s Socceroo squad earlier this year, the 19-year-old has since become the focal point of Parma’s backline, producing a string of brilliant performances and enhancing his chances of a national team debut against England.

With defending his primary role and Parma trailing 0-1 at home, Circati scored his first-ever professional goal, rescuing a point for the Ducali with an 82nd-minute header against Sampdoria on match day six of Italy’s Serie B.

"I've felt it coming for a long time”, Circati told me. “Scoring your first professional goal is a great feeling. It’s a dream come true, something that I’ve been waiting for and I felt it coming for a long time.”

It’s a goal that kept coach Fabio Pecchia’s 16-game undefeated run intact and a defining moment that piqued the interest of Graham Arnold, the Australia boss watching from the stands of the Stadio Ennio Tardini, as Circati wheeled away euphorically to celebrate with teammates.

The teenage starlet may have proven his ability in the attacking third, but it’s his contribution in the back half that's helped his side keep top spot in the Italian second tier. Collectively, promotion-chasing Parma has conceded three goals, the lowest of any side contesting all seven league matches so far. Individually, Circati has impressed with an 88.9% pass completion rate, amassed the most minutes (540) of any outfield player, and leads the league for shots blocked (11). It's clear why Pecchia has put his faith in the Parma-born prodigy.

Click here to read the full article by David Ferrini for Forbes.com