‘He could become the next Pirlo’ – Miralem Pjanic backs Nicolo Fagioli to become Juventus great | OneFootball

Former Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic has tipped the Bianconeri’s rising star Nicolo Fagioli for greatness.

In a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Italian legend Andrea Pirlo singled out the 22-year-old as the most rapidly improving player at the Allianz Arena, hailing his technical qualities and pedigree.

Shortly after the ex-AC Milan and Juventus midfield metronome gave his verdict on the youngster’s noticeable development in Turin, Pjanic joined the praise.

The Bosnian playmaker, who wore the Bianconeri shirt for four years between 2016 and 2020, shares Pirlo’s stance on Fagioli, who he believes could reach the celebrated Italian’s heights.

“You could tell Fagioli was different from other youngsters when he trained with us in the senior team at 17,” he said, as relayed by Football Italia.

“I’ve always admired Nicolo, and I am not surprised by what he is doing this season. He must continue like this and remain humble.

“Massimiliano Allegri and his staff will help him become a top midfielder at an international level. He is the present and the future of the national team.

“He could become the next Pirlo, but it’s better to be remembered just as Fagioli.”

Fagioli came through the ranks at the Juventus youth academy before making his Serie A debut for the club in February 2021, replacing Rodrigo Bentancur in a 3-0 win over Crotone.

But recurring injury problems to Paul Pogba, coupled with Bentancur’s move to Tottenham Hotspur last summer, have helped the youngster become a senior first-team star in Turin in 2022/23.

In his breakthrough season in Serie A, he has racked up two goals and four assists in 18 league appearances, helping the Bianconeri stay within touching distance of top-four placings despite a 15-point deduction.

Fagioli’s rise to prominence at Juventus earned him his maiden international cap for Italy last November, as he made his debut for Gli Azzurri during an exhibition match against Albania.