Australian football is celebrating the remarkable emergence of a new teenage sensation after 16-year-old Antonio Arena scored with his very first touch for Italian giants AS Roma.
A Dream Debut in the Coppa Italia
The Sydney-born striker came off the bench in the 80th minute of Roma's Italian Cup round-of-16 clash against Torino on Tuesday evening. With his maiden touch in senior football for the Serie A club, Arena calmly rose to head home an 81st-minute equaliser, levelling the score at 2-2 and sending the Roma bench into raptures.
Despite the youngster's fairytale moment, Torino snatched a late victory, with Emirhan Ilkhan netting a 90th-minute winner for a 3-2 final score. Nevertheless, the night belonged to the Australian debutant, whose instant impact captured headlines across the football world.
Praise from the Manager and a Rapid Rise
Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini was effusive in his praise for the teenager after the match. "I'm happy about these very young players: one is 16 years old and it's an important process for him," Gasperini stated. He highlighted Arena's "great competitive drive" and fearlessness, noting the player is already representing national youth teams.
Arena's journey to this point has been meteoric. After developing his skills in the academy of A-League Men's side Western Sydney Wanderers, he moved to Italy to join Pescara. He made his professional debut there last year at just 16 years and 25 days old, scoring in a Serie C match to become the first player born in 2009 to score in Italian professional football and Pescara's youngest-ever goalscorer.
His performances earned a transfer to Roma in July 2025, setting the stage for his historic cup debut.
International Future Up for Grabs
Holding dual Australian and Italian citizenship, Arena's talents have put him on the radar of both nations' youth setups. He debuted for Australia's under-16 side in a 2024 friendly win over Switzerland. The following year, he accepted a call-up to represent Italy's under-16 team in a series of friendlies, showcasing the international tug-of-war that may develop for his services in the years to come.
While the result was ultimately disappointing for Roma, the emergence of Antonio Arena provides a significant silver lining. His story is a powerful testament to the global pathways opening for Australian talent and marks the arrival of a prodigious new star on European football's grand stage.
