Samuele Mulattieri, the former Inter Primavera forward currently playing for Deportivo La Coruna, has discussed his career trajectory following his departure from the Nerazzurri youth system. Speaking to tuttomercatoweb.com, Mulattieri detailed the difficulties he faced finding opportunities in Italian football after a prolific spell in the Primavera ranks.
Mulattieri revealed that despite being a leading goalscorer in the Primavera championship, he received limited interest from Serie B clubs, often being offered roles as a substitute player. He did receive offers from Serie C teams, but ultimately opted for a move to Volendam in the Netherlands. The decision was heavily influenced by contact from Volendam’s sporting director and manager, Jonk, who previously collaborated with Johan Cruijff in revolutionizing Ajax’s youth academy and is currently assistant coach to Ronald Koeman with the Dutch national team.
He believes choosing to play abroad was the correct step, serving as a crucial intermediate stage between youth football and his eventual ambitions to play in Serie B and Serie A. Mulattieri credits his time at Volendam with transforming him into a more focused and effective striker. He did not directly comment on the state of talent development within Italian football, stating he wasn’t in a position to offer an opinion on the matter.
Mulattieri recently experienced promotion to Liga with Deportivo La Coruna, continuing a career path that has seen him seek opportunities outside of his home country. He progressed through the Inter youth system, showing promise as a goalscorer, but found the transition to senior football challenging within Italy's league structure. His willingness to move abroad has proven pivotal in his development and allowed him to achieve success in Spain.
This move highlights the challenges young Italian players can face in securing consistent playing time in their domestic league, and the potential benefits of exploring opportunities in foreign leagues to further their careers. Mulattieri’s story serves as an example of how a calculated move abroad can provide a platform for growth and ultimately lead to success at a higher level.
