Immobile is the new Under 16 delegation leader: "Returning to Coverciano will be a tremendous thrill."

Ciro Immobile is returning to the national team. After ending his playing career last month, the former Italy striker has been appointed as the new delegation leader for the Under-16 national team, coached by Giovanni Costantino.

This new experience was commissioned by FIGC President Giovanni Malagò, who has entrusted the former striker with the task of mentoring young talents on their development journey. Immobile will be alongside the team for the double-header against Spain, scheduled for Tuesday, September 15th at 5:00 PM and Thursday, September 17th at 11:00 AM in Coverciano, on Pitch 2 named after Enzo Bearzot.

The two matches will be broadcast live on Vivo Azzurro TV. The Azzurrini arrive at these matches after a double-header against England in August, which ended with a 3-2 victory and a 2-1 defeat.

Immobile brings a stellar resume. A European champion in 2021 with the senior national team, he finished his career with 306 goals in 601 appearances. A four-time Serie A top scorer, he also won a Golden Boot with 36 goals for Lazio in the 2019/2020 season. His individual honors also include being the top scorer in Serie B and the Europa League.

Now, however, the challenge will be different: to pass on experience, professionalism, and values ​​to the youngsters taking their first steps in Italian football. "The time has come to give back to football, something it has given me over many years of career," says the former Italian striker, who scored 17 goals in 57 appearances for the Italian national team. "Doing so with these youngsters is a great opportunity for me: to get back into the game and, above all, to pass on to them what I've learned on and off the pitch. I believe experience is especially valuable when it can be shared with those taking their first steps in their journey with the national team. I thank President Malagò for this opportunity: returning to Coverciano will be a tremendous thrill for me."

Malagò justified this choice by focusing on the example the former striker can represent for the youngsters: "Entrusting Ciro Immobile with the role of Under 16 delegation leader means placing a true example of what it means to wear the Azzurri shirt alongside our boys. We're not just talking about a European champion, but a professional who combines talent, dedication, and respect for the rules."

The FIGC president added: "At this age, you grow as a footballer and as a person: I'm sure that Ciro will be able to instill in the boys, through his daily example, the values ​​and responsibility that representing Italy entails."