Happy Birthday Claudio!
Was there any doubt about how important this young lad was going to be for Juventus and the supporters? There was a public outcry when they even contemplated selling him. Before the start of the season when the transfer guru in Turin basically bought a new team for new coach Antonio Conte, there was a very real fear that they might get rid of “ Il Prinicipino”. This was not helped when they brought in Andrea Pirlo, a well known maestro of the midfield and an extraordinary player, but significantly older. Yet, this was Juve and as I have been a fan for a nearly a decade, I didn’t put it past then- even though I didn’t hide my outrage at the notion that they may sell him! Yet my fears were completely unnecessary, as he has struck up a perfect partnership with Pirlo and Arthur Vidal.
Was there any doubt about how important this young lad was going to be for Juventus and the supporters? There was a public outcry when they even contemplated selling him. Before the start of the season when the transfer guru in Turin basically bought a new team for new coach Antonio Conte, there was a very real fear that they might get rid of “ Il Prinicipino”. This was not helped when they brought in Andrea Pirlo, a well known maestro of the midfield and an extraordinary player, but significantly older. Yet, this was Juve and as I have been a fan for a nearly a decade, I didn’t put it past then- even though I didn’t hide my outrage at the notion that they may sell him! Yet my fears were completely unnecessary, as he has struck up a perfect partnership with Pirlo and Arthur Vidal.
Even with clubs like Manchester United after his signature, he pledged his future to Juventus by signing another contract, keeping him at the club for another five years. This year has undoubtedly been one of his best after breaking his personal record of just four goals with six already, only one behind team mate, Alessandro Matri. He scored the first of his six goals against Parma which ended 4-1. He has always had a moment of creative genius in his game, but in week six against current Scudetto holders Milan he had two! He left it late but boy were they perhaps the most important goals!!
His great run of form also translated to the Azzurri when he scored his first international goal against Serbia in a Euro 2012 qualifier in early October after just a minute.
He received maybe one of the highest compliments in his career when Juventus legend Pavel Nedved said, “ he could be one of the greatest players in his position, he just needs more experience”. A normal player might have let this go to his head; after all he did get a major compliment from the club legend himself. Yet he has kept his feet firmly on the ground and maintains he still has a lot to do, he has stated on numerous occasions how Juve aim to return to Top flight European football. All I know is, that with the hard work, determination and extraordinary intelligence shown by this home grown talent, who dreamed of playing alongside his heroes at the tender age of seven--- European football may be on the horizon…. If he can refrain from getting to many yellow cards!
Claudio Marchisio has already amassed over 100 appearances for The Old Lady; let’s hope he continues to play 100 more---- Happy 26th Birthday to The Little Prince of Turin!!!
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