Young Aussie Makes Stunning Roma Debut
In a dramatic turn of events, 16-year-old Australian sensation Antonio Arena scored with his very first touch for Serie A powerhouse AS Roma, sending shockwaves through the football world. The talented teenager was introduced into the fray in the 80th minute of their Italian Cup clash against Torino and sealed the match with a stunning header that equalized the score at 2-2.
Despite Arena's impressive debut performance, Roma ultimately fell short of victory, conceding three goals in the final minutes to clinch a 3-2 win. However, coach Gian Piero Gasperini was beaming with pride over his young protรฉgรฉ, praising Arena's competitive drive and energy on the pitch.
Arena, who hails from Sydney, has been making waves in the football scene after joining Italian club Pescara last year. The 16-year-old became the first player born in 2009 to score in professional football in Italy and also holds the record for being the youngest ever goalscorer for Pescara.
The Australian has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with, having represented both Australia and Italy at youth international levels. His impressive form has earned him a spot on Roma's books, marking a significant milestone in his promising career.
Arena's debut was not his first taste of international football. He previously made headlines for representing the Australian under-16 side in a 4-3 win over Switzerland in 2024 and later donning the Italian jersey for a series of youth friendlies in 2025.
As Arena continues to make waves in the football world, fans can't help but wonder what's next for this talented young talent. With his impressive debut performance under his belt, one thing is clear: Antonio Arena is an Australian football star on the rise.
In a dramatic turn of events, 16-year-old Australian sensation Antonio Arena scored with his very first touch for Serie A powerhouse AS Roma, sending shockwaves through the football world. The talented teenager was introduced into the fray in the 80th minute of their Italian Cup clash against Torino and sealed the match with a stunning header that equalized the score at 2-2.
Despite Arena's impressive debut performance, Roma ultimately fell short of victory, conceding three goals in the final minutes to clinch a 3-2 win. However, coach Gian Piero Gasperini was beaming with pride over his young protรฉgรฉ, praising Arena's competitive drive and energy on the pitch.
Arena, who hails from Sydney, has been making waves in the football scene after joining Italian club Pescara last year. The 16-year-old became the first player born in 2009 to score in professional football in Italy and also holds the record for being the youngest ever goalscorer for Pescara.
The Australian has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with, having represented both Australia and Italy at youth international levels. His impressive form has earned him a spot on Roma's books, marking a significant milestone in his promising career.
Arena's debut was not his first taste of international football. He previously made headlines for representing the Australian under-16 side in a 4-3 win over Switzerland in 2024 and later donning the Italian jersey for a series of youth friendlies in 2025.
As Arena continues to make waves in the football world, fans can't help but wonder what's next for this talented young talent. With his impressive debut performance under his belt, one thing is clear: Antonio Arena is an Australian football star on the rise.