From rejection to Rome, via Totti and Mourinho ... who is Cristian Volpato?

Cristian Volpato, 18, grabbed a memorable first Roma goal on just his second senior appearance during Roma's 2-2 draw with Hellas Verona on Saturday - and now the teenager once spurned by academies in his native Australia is flourishing in the Italian capital under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho and Francesco Totti.

His rise to the Giallorossi first-team has set tongues wagging in both Sydney and Rome and, having travelled halfway around the world to pursue his footballing dream, now is the perfect time to enjoy Volpato’s breakout.

After all, it’s been quite the journey so far…

AN AUSSIE OUTCAST

Born to Italian parents in Camperdown, a suburb of Sydney in New South Wales, Volpato learned the game and kicked a football for the first time with his nonno (grandfather) in Australia.

Despite being on the books of city rivals Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, however, Volpato was shunned by both academies when it eventually came to making a decision on his long-term future.

After Wanderers let him go in 2019, Volpato found his way into the hands of Tony Basha at the Australasian Soccer Academy.

“Tony has had a big impact on me,” Volpato later told SBS’s The World Game.

Basha added: “I basically took him under my wing at the academy. He needed some adjustments to his game and personality. He’s worked his backside off every day, with 6am sessions.

“When I saw him I knew he was a superstar, so I rang up contacts at Roma and set up the trial. I knew he could make it.

"I’m proud of him and how he has conducted himself and applied himself.”

A LEAP OF FAITH

Basha’s call was to the desk of then Roma Under-17 head coach Fabrizio Piccareta, setting the course for Volpato’s move back towards his family roots.

A growth spurt coincided with the teenager’s explosive rise from being discarded in Australia and joining the Primavera ranks of the Giallorossi, which was secured after Volpato impressed during an initially temporary trial period in the Eternal City.

Volpato had to be patient as the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to football all over the world - but by January 2020, the Aussie upstart had penned a three-year deal with the club.

He said in May that year: “It’s always been my aim to play in Italy - and it’s an incredible environment at Roma. It’s the best. There are world class players everywhere, quality from all over the world.”

ON TOTTI’S BOOKS

Volpato’s early days in Rome were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic but he was given substantial support in the form of the legendary Francesco Totti, who made the Sydneysider one of the first signings to his burgeoning CT10 talent agency in February 2020.

“He’s looking after me now - and with his name you can go anywhere because people know him so well,” Volpato said subsequently.

“He just said he saw me and liked the way I play. I’m a No. 10 like him and he told me there was something different about me.

“I’m just happy to have him there in my corner. I need to just keep working hard and developing and hopefully make an impression.

"It doesn’t matter how famous your agent is, it’s what you do on the pitch that matters.”

The legendary Romanista has since been mentoring Volpato’s career and Totti was a proud observer in the stands as he witnessed his protege’s first senior goal at the Stadio Olimpico.

“Totti is like a big brother to me, he always gives me so much advice and keeps a close eye on me,” said Volpato, who was given the No. 10 shirt in the Primavera this season - the first time official squad numbers have been handed out at Under-19 level and thus, in a way, making Volpato the first Roma men’s player to wear the No. 10 since Totti himself hung up his boots.

After making 17 appearances for the U18s in 2020-21, scoring five times and providing two assists as Roma’s young side eventually came up short in the final, Volpato contributed 11 goals (seven goals, four assists) for the Primavera at the start of 2021-22 as he was increasingly folded into the first-team setup.

LIVING THE DREAM

Volpato previously described life in Trigoria as “perfect” and stated that his goal for this season “was just to get my debut.”

Having made Matchday 10’s squad for the win at Cagliari, Volpato got his wish on week 16 as he featured in the final minutes against reigning champions Inter Milan.

Then, with Roma trailing 2-0 at the time, Volpato was introduced as a 62nd-minute substitute against Verona on Saturday, making a dramatic introduction by volleying through a crowd for a maiden professional strike that sparked a Giallorossi comeback to earn a point.

He said after the game: “The coach told me to play it simple, focus on the final ball. Then I scored.

“Mourinho is a top coach, he has won it all and I am trying to learn everything I can from him.”

Clearly, Volpato is enjoying himself and working under Mourinho was once stuff of fantasy for the 18-year-old.

“I said before joining Roma, when people asked me which coach I’d like to work with if I could choose any, I said Jose Mourinho. That was two years ago.”

“Una dream come true,” he added – those mixed roots coming through once more in endearing fashion.

Volpato’s emergence has already sparked suggestions that Australia and Italy will battle it out for his international future,

In the meantime, with Mourinho and Totti taking a close interest in his career, it will be exciting to see where Volpato’s talent takes him next.