27-05-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Teenager Milani called up by Venezuela for World Cup qualifiers
Caracas, May 27 (UNI) Uncapped Lazio teenager Alessandro Milani has been named in Venezuela's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Uruguay, the Venezuelan football federation said.
Milani has not yet made his first-team debut for Lazio, but has impressed with his performances at left-back for the Italian club's under-20 team.
The 18-year-old represented Italy, the country of his birth, at youth level before switching allegiance to Venezuela - where he has family ties and holds citizenship - earlier this year. Apart from Milani, there were few surprises in manager Fernando Batista's squad.
The Argentine strategist included Pachuca striker Salomon Rondon, Inter Miami playmaker Telasco Segovia and Santos midfielders Tomas Rincon and Yeferson Soteldo on his 29-man list.
Venezuela will host Bolivia in Maturin on June 6 before facing Uruguay in Montevideo four days later.
The Vinotinto is currently seventh in the 10-team South American qualifying zone with four matchdays left.
The top six teams will automatically qualify for next year's World Cup, while the seventh-ranked side will dispute an intercontinental playoff.
UNI/XINHUA BM
