Locked in on success: Italian midfield maestro making the world take notice

Lake Como is one of Italy's most beloved destinations, in the middle of mountain ranges. The breathtaking lake fascinates tourists from all over the world with its scenery, villages, and glamour. There's beauty in the places nestled between the water and the massive mountains in the north of Italy. But this story isn't about the sights and nature. It's about a boy who was born here and who went on to star for his country. Manuel Locatelli.

The scorer of two goals in Italy's impressive 2-0 win over Switzerland in the Euro 2020 and an alleged Arsenal transfer target is held in high regard by the people he'd grown up with. Finally, a boy pursued stardom without ever losing touch with his origins. Everyone back home has an anecdote to tell: some take out a photo with him at an old tournament, some remember him on walks in the mountains, but everyone praises his humility and low profile. You just love to see people like Manuel make it.

In the town of Pescate, little Manuel would spend his days kicking the ball on the beach and then he'd have to fish it out of the water. It wasn't exactly glamorous at that point, but that box was getting noticed for his skill. At the age of just nine, he was called up to attend Atalanta's famous academy and develop as a footballer. And it proved to be a great start.

Two years later, the famous AC Milan picked up the 11-year-old Manuel and nurtured the young midfielder while he made it through the Rossoneri's youth sides. Finally, his dreams of making it as a professional started to come true when he signed a three-year contract in July 2015.

Locatelli was already being dubbed 'the new Pirlo' by the media after some promising displays in midfield. Still, it took until October 2016 for the lakeside boy to really arrive on the scene. On 22 October, he beat the great Gianluigi Buffon to score the only goal of the match as Milan beat Juventus. He continued to play well and was given a new and improved contract. Everything seemed rosy. But as it usually goes in a good story, there has to be some ups and downs. And if there are heartbreaks in the tale – it gets even more intriguing. And Manuel did suffer heartbreak when Milan decided to cash in on him and sell him to Sassuolo in August 2018.

"I don't know if it's right to say that they abandoned me, but I no longer felt they had confidence in me. I suffered and I cried. Milan had been my life for ten years."

Sassuolo coach Roberto De Zerbi is known for placing trust in young players and allowing them to thrive and assume key roles in his team. Locatelli needed that confidence to develop his game further and is already considered one of the best central playmakers in Europe. Three years of playing regularly for the Serie A overachievers have done wonders to Locatelli's confidence and status. Today he's representing his country and drawing plaudits from around the world. To add perspective to Manuel's career path, Sandro Tonali, the man Milan signed as an upgrade on Locatelli is nowhere near to making the national team.

Talking to The Athletic, Locatelli spoke about his development and the willingness to add goals to his game.

"Since joining Sassuolo, I've been playing with more continuity, and I have more conviction when I try something. The club has more confidence in me. I've matured physically and mentally and I can play across the midfield in various roles. I just need to start scoring more goals."

The former Milan and Barcelona ace Gianluca Zambrotta, who won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, is delighted with the Azzurri midfield and Manuel's impact on the tournament.

"Great things are expected of Locatelli after his match against Switzerland. Roberto Mancini will have a difficult choice to make with the return of Marco Verratti: Locatelli, Verratti, Jorginho and Nicolo Barella for three places in midfield. They are all in form. It won't be easy, but at the moment, Locatelli is a player who is producing great performances."

It was a long road from the little town on the Lake Como to European Championship stardom. And Manuel Locatelli's ability could see him go even further in his career. It looks like good things happen to nice people after all.