Eighteen-year-old Italian talent Samuele Inacio has expressed that representing his nation is his ultimate ambition. He believes his decision to leave Atalanta for Borussia Dortmund two years ago was the correct one, stating that it is “paying off.”
Inacio is among the 24 young players selected to represent Italy in upcoming international friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece. The team will be managed by interim coach Silvio Baldini, who typically leads the U21 squad, and the selection largely comprises players familiar to him from the youth setup. Only four of the called-up players have prior senior international caps for Italy.
Following Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, this presents an opportunity for a new beginning and a chance for promising young talents to prove their readiness for senior-level competition.
Inacio on His Italy Opportunity, the Right Choice of Dortmund, and Following Donnarumma’s Example
Among those hoping to make an impact is 18-year-old Dortmund forward Inacio, who spoke from the team’s training camp. He described the moment he saw his name on the senior squad list as “incredible” and a “moment of huge pride.”
“Coming here with so many young guys is a good thing for Italy,” Inacio remarked. “Of course, there’s also Gigio Donnarumma, who is an idol for all of us, so we all follow him by example.”
Inacio comes from a footballing family; his father, Piá, played for several Serie A clubs, including Atalanta, Napoli, and Torino. “I grew up watching my dad play, and I immediately fell in love with football,” Inacio shared. His father’s best advice was to “never settle, even when things are going well, to think that I have to do it all over again. And, before being a footballer, to be a good person.”
Reflecting on his inclusion in the Italy squad at 18, Inacio spoke of “a lot of emotions and a big desire to learn, especially from the players with more experience.” He feels a sense of responsibility, which he embraces, calling it a “privilege” to fight for the national team shirt.
Inacio began his youth career at Atalanta before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2024, where he has since scored his first Bundesliga goal this season. He explained his move to Germany was to “try new challenges” and that the Dortmund project was “immediately intriguing.” He is confident he “made the right choice” and that it is “paying off.”
The most challenging aspect of his adaptation to life in Germany has been the language, although he has received help from teammates Luca Reggiani and Filippo Mane. He is able to understand and speak German to some extent, but communicates more fluently in English.
Scoring his first goal in front of Dortmund’s famed “Yellow Wall” was described as “the best moment of my life.” He called the feeling “incredible” and stated he was “the happiest person in the world” at that moment. He still watches videos of it frequently.
Regarding the opportunity to represent the senior Italian national team at such a young age, Inacio reiterated, “Wearing the Azzurri shirt is my biggest dream.” He aspires to play at the highest level and win a World Cup with Italy, acknowledging the legacy of the great champions who have worn the shirt before him.