His German mother is also delighted for the 18-year-old, as is his Italian father, of course.
Matteo Palma was born in Berlin and once played for Germany, but now the 18-year-old is set to make his debut for Italy’s senior national team. “This is something I could never have imagined. It’s a huge honour that I’ll carry in my heart forever,” said the teenager in an interview published by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
Palma came through the youth ranks at Hertha BSC; at the age of 13, he moved from Berlin with his mother to join his father in Italy. This season, he is a regular starter in Udine – and he could make his debut for Italy against France in the Nations League on Thursday (8.45 pm). “I’ve been dreaming of this ever since I was a little boy, when I used to watch the national team’s matches with my father and my brother and sing along to the national anthem,” said Palma.
The defender had previously played for Germany at U16 and U17 level, but has now answered the call of the new national team manager, Roberto Mancini. “My father was delighted with the call-up, and so was my mother. She always wants me to choose what I want – in short: what’s best for me. Ultimately, everyone in the family, on both sides, was very happy,” said Palma.
However, the connection to Germany has never been severed, partly because of his family. “Berlin is a wonderful city. I have great memories of it and still have lots of friends who live there – plus my mum and my brother live there too. So whenever the opportunity arises, I’m always happy to go back,” he said.