Genoa centre-back Alessandro Marcandalli, born to an Italian father and Nigerian mother, has drawn NFF interest this season after a strong Serie A campaign, with a nationality switch to the Super Eagles a genuine possibility.
Alessandro Marcandalli is having the best season of his career at Genoa, and the NFF has taken notice. The 23-year-old centre-back, born in Ponte San Pietro in the Bergamo province of northern Italy, is eligible to represent Nigeria through his mother’s nationality and has spoken warmly about his connection to the country. A Super Eagles switch, which would follow a similar path to those taken by Calvin Bassey and Emmanuel Fernandez in recent years, is firmly on the table. For those following Nigeria’s defensive recruitment campaign, the Bet9ja sign-up offer is available for new users ahead of the qualifying window.
Marcandalli has contributed two assists in 25 appearances for Genoa this season, starting 22 of those games. He came through the Atalanta youth system, a club known for producing technically excellent defenders, before moving to Giana Erminio in 2017 as a teenager. After that, he joined Genoa’s U19 side in 2021 and had loan spells at Pontedera and Reggiana in Serie B before earning his place in the first team. His senior debut came in October 2024 against Bologna, but it was this season that established him as a reliable starter, appearing in over 60% of Genoa’s league games.
A Cultural Connection to Nigeria
What sets Marcandalli apart from some dual-nationality cases is the depth of his stated connection to his mother’s homeland. In an interview with Todomercadoweb, he talked openly about his affection for Nigeria, describing visits to the country as a child, listening to Afrobeats regularly, and a particular fondness for his mother’s jollof rice. “When the call comes, I’ll decide,” he told the outlet. “I’ll listen to my parents, but the decision will be mine; it will be very personal. I was in Nigeria as a child and I’d like to go back; I have family there.” New readers tracking the story can explore the YOHAIG welcome offer at bet9japromotioncode.com.ng.
Genoa manager Daniele De Rossi has publicly backed Marcandalli for a future at a bigger club. Describing the youngster’s potential, De Rossi said he has the talent to play for top-level teams but needs to keep developing the technical knowledge that separates good defenders from great ones. High praise from a former World Cup winner and Champions League finalist.
What a Switch Would Mean for Nigeria
The Super Eagles are in the middle of a transition at centre-back. Semi Ajayi is in his 30s and nearing the end of his international career, while William Troost-Ekong has retired from the national team. Adding Marcandalli to a defensive pool that already includes Calvin Bassey, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Frederick and Chibuike Nwaiwu would give Nigeria one of the deeper centre-back units in African football. His contract at Genoa runs until the summer of 2029, giving the club leverage but also confirming that he has the long-term stability to focus on developing his game. Nigerian fans who want to follow his international future, should it happen, can stay updated via FootballInNigeria.com.ng, and those new to Bet9ja can use the Bet9ja’s current promo code before registering.
📌 Did You Know?
- Atalanta, where Marcandalli began his youth career, have produced some of Italy’s best defenders in recent years, including Cristian Romero and Rafael Toloi, reflecting the club’s academy emphasis on ball-playing centre-backs.
- Calvin Bassey was born in Nigeria but grew up in England and represented Great Britain before switching allegiance to Nigeria, following a process similar to what Marcandalli could pursue.
- Genoa are one of Italy’s oldest football clubs, founded in 1893, and are the oldest professional football club in Italian football history.
- Ponte San Pietro, where Marcandalli was born, is a town in the Bergamo province of Lombardy, the same region that is home to Atalanta, the club where he first developed as a youth player.
- Italy’s national team has struggled to convert dual-nationality talents to commit to the Azzurri in recent years, with several players born in Italy to African parents choosing their parents’ nations over the four-time World Cup winners.
- Daniele De Rossi, Marcandalli’s manager at Genoa, won the FIFA World Cup with Italy in 2006 and is considered one of the finest midfielders of his generation before transitioning to coaching.
- The Serie A, where Marcandalli plays, is currently home to more Nigerian players than any other league in Europe outside the Premier League, giving the NFF strong visibility into emerging talent in the Italian top flight.
