Federico Macheda States Desire To Return To Lazio

Italian striker and former Lazio youth team starlet Federico Macheda stated in an interview with Goal that he desires a return to Italy, specifically with the Biancocelesti.

“I would like to play for Lazio; I would prefer them over Inter, Milan, and Juventus because I am a Laziale.”

The 28-year-old striker has not had the career path expected of him when he began playing professional football at the age of 17. Macheda joined the Lazio youth team in 2001, leaving in 2007 for Manchester United. A year later the Italian played scored winning goal in a 2-1 match against Aston Villa in his debut for United at the senior level.

Since then, however, things have not gone as planned. The player was constantly getting sent out on loan from United, before leaving the Red Devils for good in 2014, joining Cardiff City. Six goals in 27 league matches, alongside a loan to Nottingham Forrest, was not convincing either. In 2016, Macheda joined Serie B side Novara, who got relegated to Serie C a season later.

Recently, however, things have been looking positive for Macheda, who joined Greek side Panathinaikos in 2018. Before the suspension of Super League Greece due to Coronavirus, Macheda was the second top scorer with 12 goals.

If the boyhood Lazio supporter can keep up his strong season when football starts back up, a move to Lazio might not be too much of a reach for Macheda. Lazio will be looking for more attacking talent to support Ciro Immobile and Felipe Caicedo.

Macheda will not command a very high price tag either; Transfermarkt values him at only €1 million and considering Simone Inzaghi’s ability to breathe life back into the aforementioned Caicedo, a return to his boyhood club could spark a renaissance for the presumed wonder-kid gone wrong.

Tags Federico Macheda Lazio Panathinaikos