He hasn’t got the flair of Sebastian Giovinco. He doesn’t possess the exciting ability of Giuseppe Rossi either. But Luca Cigarini undoubtedly has the potential to become just as influential as his more high-profile Under-21 colleagues following his exploits at Parma so far.
Brought up in the Gialloblu youth ranks, the 1986-born talent is quickly establishing himself as a star of the future. A central-midfielder in the Andrea Pirlo mould, he has the necessary technique and vision that have already seen him installed as a key figure for both club and country. “I’m happy that people are talking about me in this way,” he admitted. “Being compared to Pirlo is a point of arrival for any player. Andrea is a champion who has won many honours and to mirror a career like his would be the ultimate for me.”
Cigarini, a metronome for Parma and the Azzurrini, has inevitably caught the eye. Having returned to the Tardini after a successful loan spell with Sambenedettese under the influential guidance of former Parma youth Coach Davide Ballardini, he’s developing into a player whom the big clubs – headed by Juventus – believe could offer something special over the next decade or so.
“I’m delighted that my name is being mentioned along with Juve,” added the kid who was voted as the best youngster in Serie C during his San Benedetto stint. “Joining the Bianconeri would be a dream for any player and not just myself. Their boss, Claudio Ranieri, knows me well. He was the man last season who had faith in me by playing me at a very delicate time for the club, given that we were fighting against relegation.
“It would also be great if I were to team up with Giovinco in Turin next term, as we have an almost telepathic understanding and it is a pleasure to play alongside someone like him. However, for now I’m just concentrating on Parma and the Azzurrini. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens in the summer…”
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