Alphadjo Cisse became the youngest Italian player to score a hat-trick in European competition after netting three goals against Salisburgo in the Europa League. The 2006-born attacking midfielder reached the milestone at 19 years and 358 days old, while also becoming the first Italian player to score a European hat-trick for the Rossoneri since Filippo Inzaghi against Deportivo in September 2002.
From Bus Rides in Treviso to AC Milan’s European Stage
Born in the province of Treviso to Guinean parents, Cisse began his youth career playing for Indomita 21 and Giorgione before joining Verona at age 14. In his early years with Indomita, his mother, Habibatou Diaby, regularly accompanied him to the training grounds by bus. Michele Cocco, who coached Cisse in 2017 when the player was 11 years old, recalled heavy lopsided victories where the young forward routinely scored half of the team’s goals, often starting runs from his own penalty area and converting nearly all of his set pieces.
Alphadjo Cisse scores AC Milan's first league goal vs. Juventus in over three years 😲 pic.twitter.com/rGZI5107De
— https://x.com/brfootball/status/2096697787861602410
AC Milan acquired Cisse last February for 8 million euros, leaving him on loan at Catanzaro through the remainder of the season where he recorded 22 appearances, six goals, and one assist. Following his arrival at Milan, the teenager has become the club’s top scorer with 5 goals across his first seven appearances.
Rapid Ascent Through Verona’s Youth Ranks
During his time in Verona’s academy, Cisse played for the Primavera squad from under age, with players three years older. In the 2023/24 season, he scored 16 goals in 30 appearances, which earned him a senior Serie A debut under manager Baroni during the final matchday fixture against Inter.
Former coach Michele Cocco noted that Cisse’s prolific scoring output occasionally suffered temporary interruptions due to heel pain during adolescent development. Following consultation, the player was fitted with specialized athletic insoles to manage the discomfort.
European Record Echoes Club History
Cisse’s three-goal performance against Salisburgo places him alongside rare company in the club’s continental history. Not since Filippo Inzaghi’s three-goal display on September 24, 2002, had an Italian player secured a hat-trick in European competition for the Rossoneri. Reflecting on his rapid breakthrough after the match, Cisse acknowledged that very few observers anticipated his instant impact, attributing his progress strictly to consistent daily work.
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