Italy: Who Is Alì Zoma, the New Azzurro Selected by Roberto Mancini Who Scores in Every Game?

Italy’s head coach Roberto Mancini, in his second stint with the Azzurri, announced his first roster on Friday evening: the list includes new names, even in the attack, where the Jesi-born coach is evaluating various options.

Mancini and his staff have been scouting several players in Italy and abroad, and have decided on some surprising selections. Among them is Mohamed Ali Zoma, a forward born in 2003 in Merate with Ivorian roots, who has earned his very first call-up to the Italian national team (he had never been called up to any of the youth national teams before).

Zoma is a second striker who can also play as a winger. He came up through the Albinoleffe youth system, made his professional debut in Serie C in 2021, and after four years with the Bergamo-based club, he moved to Nuremberg in Germany. In the German second division, Zoma is shining brightly; after scoring 14 goals last season, he’s started this year on a strong note with five goals in five games. His market value is estimated at around 20 million euros, and he has caught the attention of mid-to-top-tier clubs across Europe.

In recent days, Zoma confirmed that he had been in contact with Mancini, who told him he might have a chance to play. The Azzurri will face Belgium, Turkey, and France in the Nations League; the matches are scheduled for late September through early October.