More hated than pineapple on pizza: Italy's old foe as WC talisman? | OneFootball

Loved in Bosnia, hated in Italy: Afan Cizmic has probably just had the most exciting week of his young life.

The 14-year-old teenager shot to international fame in the World Cup playoffs when he stole Gianluigi Donnarumma’s penalty cheat sheet and played his small part in Italy failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row.

After losing his notes, the world-class goalkeeper was visibly rattled, diving the wrong way on every shot and then loudly complaining to the referee afterward. 

In his home country, however, Cizmic has long since become a cult hero. The young footballer is giving one TV interview after another and proudly recounting how Donnarumma was “only guessing” after the theft.

Bosnian fans on social media are even calling on national coach Sergej Barbarez to take their golden boy to the World Cup as a talisman. Will it really happen?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 ELVIS BARUKCIC - AFP or licensors