On this day: 100 years ago

Antonio Fusco was always destined for great things.

Born in Rome on 6 January 1916, he came through the youth ranks of local club Ostiense before joining AS Roma. He made his youth-team debut for the Giallorossi in a win against Fortitudo on 20 December 1931.

Two years later, in December 1933, he was on the verge of making his bow for the senior side.

With Bruno Dugoni and Gino Callegari out of action, on 14 December Il Littoriale newspaper announced that young Fusco was set to start the away game at Padova.

Before then came a sign he was destined for success. For the first time since the start of the season, Roma coach Luigi Barbesino decided to open training to the public. Fusco was a Testaccio boy born and bred who lived in Via Ginori – just a stone's throw from the training ground. It was little surprise, then, that half the neighbourhood flocked to watch the training session.

The following day Il Littoriale wrote: “Hordes of fans came along to see youngsters Celestini and Fusco in training. But the one who really showed a mature head was Fusco.”

Padua was covered in snow on 17 December so Antonio couldn't make his debut. The stars had decided it should happen at Testaccio, in front of his own people.

In the meantime some of the injured players had recovered but in the last training session before the game the young boy – together with Enrique Guaita – was “clearly heads and shoulders above his team-mates and opponents”.

And so, on 24 December 1933, he made his debut in a 5-1 win against Alessandria.

Pier Luigi Tagiuri wrote that the boy “looked like a veteran and handled himself well.” Thus began the story of Fusco “The Brazen”, a player who - like Attilio Ferraris IV - was “born ready”.

He stayed at Roma until 1940 and returned after the war, making 136 appearances in all competitions and carving himself a place in the fans' hearts forever.

After hanging up his boots he performed various other roles within the club until 1950.

Easy-going, strong, irreverent and bold, he was a gentleman on and off the pitch.

Roma will never forget him.