Palma and the behind-the-scenes story of his Italy call-up: "An honour I'll carry forever. Cannavaro told me..."

Udinese defender Palma, 16, called up to Italy squad for Nations League matches against France and Belgium after Mancini's injury.

Matteo Palma, a 16-year-old Udinese defender born in Berlin, has been called up to Italy's senior squad for Nations League matches against France and Belgium, replacing the injured Gianluca Mancini. The call-up came after FIFA approved his change of nationality from Germany to Italy.

Palma spoke about the honour of his first senior call-up, saying he never imagined it would happen so early in his career. He credited former Uzbekistan manager Fabio Cannavaro with helping him choose Italy over Germany when he was starting out in the first team. "He asked me to choose Italy at a time when there was a dilemma with Germany. He helped me make that choice," Palma said.

The young defender expressed his admiration for Italy's established players, particularly goalkeeper Donnarumma and defender Bonucci, whose technical ability he cited as an inspiration. Palma moved to Italy at age 13 from Berlin and has since become a regular starter for Udinese, scoring his first Serie A goal this season with his mother and brother watching from the stands.