If Monday evening, in Riyadh, the Naples by Walter Mazzari he will be able to play for a trophy this season, the credit is also his. There is the signature of Alessio Zerbin, in fact, in the semi-final win 3-0 against Fiorentina. He enters in the 82nd, replacing Mazzocchi. He scores after 2 minutes and again after 4.
Yet his suitcase is already packed, perhaps he hasn’t even unpacked it. From Naples to Riyadh and back, perhaps with a stopover in Rome, to go to Frosinone. Because the career of Zerbin, born in Novara in 1999, has so far been all like this: a race, a continuous change, a journey. On the wing as in life.
Zerbin’s celebration. Photo Source: Corriere dello Sport.
From Serie D to the Scudetto
Alessio Zerbin takes the first kicks at the oratory, as Italian provincial football tradition dictates. We are at Santa Rita, in the province of Novara. At 8 years old he wants it l’Inter, where he does the whole process and then returns to his hometown, in Piedmont. One year a Novaraone year a sunin the First Category, then he buys it Gozzano, in Serie D. And here, Zerbin, explodes. Two years in which the boy grows, scores (8 goals in 20 appearances), convinces. He is only 18 years old, but he has the makings of grown-ups.
Giuntoli notices him immediately, puts 85 thousand euros on the table and takes him home to let him play with the Napoli Primavera. In his first season there are 13 goals in 35 appearances, that championship is too tight for him. The suitcase closes again. And off we go: Viterbese in Serie C, then the Cesenathe Pro Vercelliin 2021 the Serie B with the Frosinone. 110 appearances around the province, 18 goals scored. It’s time to return to Naples, where Luciano Spalletti there’s time for him to win a historic championship. For the club, for the city, for him. Who takes the field 10 times in the magical 2022-2023 season.
Zerbin with the Frosinone shirt. Photo Source: Wikipedia
The return to Frosinone
Now your suitcase is ready to be closed. According to Gianluca Di Marzio Zerbin’s arrival at Frosinone it’s a done deal. They expect him on Tuesday, after the Super Cup final, for the medical visits and the signing of the contract. The right redemption after a difficult start to the year, as he says Furio Valcareggiwho was his agent and today is member of his entourage: “The best thing is how he was ready after a year in which he was practically at a standstill. Many, in his place, would have gained 5 kilos and would have let themselves go. He didn’t even train with the French coach, who I won’t even mention”.
Now Zerbin plays and scores. Maybe he’ll do it again on Monday evening. And who knows, maybe a goal will be enough to make him unpack that always packed suitcase.