Italy Names 16-year-old in Women's World Cup squad

Giulia Dragoni © Gallo Images

Italy Women’s National Team coach, Milena Bertolini, has included FC Barcelona’s 16-year-old midfielder Giulia Dragoni in her final 23-member squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s world cup.

Dragoni took part for 45 minutes as Italy was held to a 0-0 draw by another World Cup finalist, Morocco on Saturday.

In January, she joined Barcelona and became the first ever foreign woman to reside and live at La Masia, after earning the nickname of the Little Messi in Italy.

“I’m glad to be a part of this new family, and I consider it an honor to be a member of this club,” she told Barca TV.

When Italy plays Argentina in their opening match of the women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, she will be 16 years and 259 days old.

Despite her age, it is unlikely that she will surpass Ifeanyi Chiejine of the Nigerian Super Falcons, who made her debut in a match against North Korea at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1999 at the age of 16 years and 34 days, as the youngest player ever to compete in a women’s world cup.

Italy is in Group G alongside Argentina, Sweden, and South Africa.

Richard Mwila Jr July 3, 2023

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Richard Mwila Jr. is a Zambian football writer and sports analyst who currently works for BolaNews. He has written articles for several Zambian online sports websites. His content was initially focused solely on the Zambian Super League, but he has recently begun reporting on African football, primarily on stories involving continental football. He is also well-known for his work with United Voice Radio, on which he appears on a regular basis.