Giovanni Lauricella’s story: from Brancaccio fields to European champion with under-17 squad

Last Updated: June 6, 2024

The historic victory of the under-17 national football team at the European Championships in Malta also bears the hallmark of Sicily. Palermo-born Giovanni Lauricella was one of the protagonists who helped coach Massimiliano Favo’s team win the prestigious title. Lauricella, born on January 11, 2007, started playing football in the Brancaccio neighborhood before catching the attention of Valerio Leto, the technical director of Fair Play Messina, who brought him to Messina in 2019. After impressing with his goals, Lauricella moved to Sassuolo in 2021 before returning to Messina to complete middle school. In 2022, he scored 17 goals for the Sicilian team and joined Empoli in January 2023, where his physical strength helped him score 6 goals in 18 appearances and earn a call-up to the under-17 national team. Lauricella, previously a winger with Empoli, transformed into a full-back for the national team and wore the number 18 shirt as they claimed the European title. Giovanni Lauricella celebrated the victory by posting a photo on Instagram with the trophy, writing, “Goodnight from me and my wife.” The team also featured striker Francesco Camarda, a rising star from Milan with Sicilian roots. Coach Massimiliano Favo, a former player for Palermo, also hailed from Sicily and left a lasting impression on the under-17 team.