Belgium star Bruno dreams of Italy

By Football Italia staff

Massimo Bruno is a star of the Belgium Under-21 side, but admits he is a Juventus fan and is “dreaming of an Italy call.”

The 19-year-old striker is a sensation in Belgium, scoring five goals in six Jupiler Pro League games for Anderlecht so far this season.

He also impressed for the Under-21 side against Italy on Thursday evening, when the Belgians ran out 3-1 winners in Rieti.

Although he was born in Belgium, Bruno’s father is from Catania and his mother from Napoli, so he’d be eligible for the Azzurri.

“My parents met in Belgium and I was born there,” Bruno told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It’s all going well, both for the goals and performances. This is my second year in the senior Anderlecht squad and we won the title in my first campaign. Now we’re in the Champions League, but doing well on Italian soil is always a great moment for me.

“Of course I’d love to play in Italy, both for my origins and because Serie A is a very important League. I am also a big Juventus fan, as this passion was passed on to me by my parents.

“As a kid I used to spend my summers in Catania with the family, but with football it becomes trickier for me to get away. The last time I was in Sicily was five years ago. Italy is the most beautiful country in the world.”

Despite his spectacular performances for Anderlecht and Belgium Under-21, Bruno reveals he hasn’t received any indication of interest from Serie A clubs or the Italy squad.

“Not that I know of, no. We’ll see what happens at the end of the season. In theory I could change to Italy because I have only played for Belgium at Under-21 level, but we’d have to see if they would call me.

“What would I do if a call came? Of course I’d think about it and I’d love the call, but I think it’s unlikely. I doubt Italy need me.”

Bruno isn’t the only hero of the Low Countries who is being ignored by Italy, as Graziano Pellè scored an incredible 33 goals in 24 Eredivisie games for Feyenoord.

Despite all that, 28-year-old Pellè’s last Italy cap was at Under-21 level in 2007.

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