Coming into play against Germany in the Nations League, young FC Zürich striker Wilfried Gnonto was decisive in his first appearance for Squadra Azzurra. Great debut for the product of the nerrazzura formation. Portrait.
In one of the shocks of the first day of the Nations League between Italy and Germany, Squadra Azzura coach Roberto Mancini offered a first in selection to a young player, playing at FC Zürich since 2020: Wilfried Degnand Gnonto. Entering the game in the 65th minute in place of the Neapolitan Matteo Politano, the 18-year-old striker only needed 5 minutes to shine and serve a caviar to Lorenzo Pellegrini, thus unlocking the mark in this meeting. An opener followed in the wake of Kimmich’s equalizer to share the points (1-1).
This evening of June 4, 2022 in Bologna will certainly not leave the memory of the native of Verbania. “It was a strange and exciting week. The coach gave me a big chance and I think I took it. Everything is going very fast, I take advantage of every moment. For me, being here is already an honor”he declared at the end of the meeting at the microphone of Rai Sports. A success that he did not forget to dedicate to his parents, who arrived in Italy from Côte d’Ivoire before his birth: “I owe them everything, they have always made great sacrifices for me. I hope I made them happy.”
From Italy to Switzerland
However, while growing up in northern Piedmont, Willy Gnonto did not have in mind to make a name for himself in the world of football. At only 9 years old, he joined the training center of Inter, one of the most prestigious in the country. And from a young age, he quickly climbed the steps, rubbing shoulders with other Lombard nuggets, such as Sebastiano Esposito or the French U20 international Lucien Agoume, who arrived from Sochaux in 2019. Nevertheless, despite eight years in the youth teams nerrazzurre, the Ivorian of origin never succeeds in imposing himself with the A’s and decides to cross the Alps for Switzerland.
In 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, he refused to extend to Milan to sign his first professional contract at FC Zürich, used to playing mid-table in the Swiss Super League. But during his first season in the Swiss championship, the 18-year-old striker had to make do with coming on, insufficient to show himself fully. But he managed to plant his first pro goal in addition to delivering 4 assists before confirming during the 2021/2022 financial year, which will be his first full season: 10 goals and 5 assists in all competitions, allowing FCZ to be Swiss champion for the 13th time in its history.
His inspirations: Messi… and Sterling
His club performances, and this from Inter, offer him the opportunity to shine in the national team, playing in all categories of young people from under 16 to U19. However, taking advantage of Roberto Mancini’s desire to prepare the future of the Azzurri, the Italian player born in 2003 with the best value (6 million euros) skips the Espoirs box to find himself in A at only 18 and a half years old. The coach detected in him a versatile profile in attack, ambidextrous and always very skilful in small spaces and capable of taking depth in the back of the defense.
As for his inspirations, the Italian admitted a few years ago to being a big fan of Lionel Messi. But in addition to La Pulga, the 1m70 striker gets his way of playing from an English international: “Am I inspired by Sterling? Yes, I think he is a world class player. He’s flexible and decisive, and that’s what I try to do.” A resemblance in the game noticed by observers of transalpine football, but which is also making noise in Germany: indeed, according to information from Sky Sport Italia, Freiburg and Hoffenheim would be interested in the young marcatore, just like Sassuolo. A bright future seems to be written for one of the greatest Azzurri hopes…
