‘Father And Son’: Di Francesco Sends Emotional Camarda Message Ahead Of Milan Return
Lecce boss Eusebio Di Francesco and AC Milan loanee Francesco Camarda have a relationship 'like father and son'.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 26 January 2026
Francesco Camarda will soon be bidding farewell to Lecce ahead of his return to parent club AC Milan.
The 17-year-old striker has enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Lecce, making 19 appearances in all competitions and scoring once.
However, Camarda’s shoulder injury means he is set to return to Milan for rehabilitation.
Camarda was in the stands as Lecce drew 0-0 with Lazio at the weekend, after which he shared an emotional moment with coach Eusebio Di Francesco.
AC Milan prodigy Francesco Camarda and Lecce boss Eusebio Di Francesco ‘like father and son’
Francesco Camarda moved into the mixed zone shortly before Eusebio Di Francesco’s interview with DAZN began.
The coach briefly postponed his answers to the questions for a moment to pull the Milan closer and hug him.
“Camarda told me ‘mi vuole bene’,” said Di Francesco, quoting the popular Italian expression said among family and friends which best translates to ‘loves me’ or ‘cares for me’.
“We had a special relationship, like father and son. I have three children and I know what expectations mean.
“And since he’ll be out for a while, he’s going home, and I wanted to say goodbye to him.”
What happens next as Camarda set for Milanello return
Sadly, Francesco Camarda is set for some time on the sidelines due to his shoulder injury, for which he will undergo surgery.
Camarda is one of Italy’s most highly rated young players, and looks set for a bright future in the game.
Indeed, there were reports doing the rounds claiming Milan wanted to recall Scamarda and make use of him in the senior team.
Considering how Milan misfired against Roma, Scamarda would have given Massimiliano Allegri an exciting new option up front.
🇮🇹The future should be nice for Italy
Camarda, Pio, Arena, Bartesaghi, Palestra, Fortini, and more pic.twitter.com/n45ROxnynB
— Wayne Girard (@WayneinRome) January 16, 2026
However, this will now have to wait as the 17-year-old tends to his health and fitness first.
Meanwhile, Lecce have replaced Camarda with Walid Cheddira, who is on the books at Napoli.
The Morocco international was on loan at Sassuolo in the first half of the season.
However, that loan was cut short, and he will now represent the south Italians for the rest of the season.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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