From Cervia and Cesena to Chelsea, via Milan, Cesare Casadei, a 20-year-old Italian, has experienced quite a journey in his career so far. Now establishing Leicestershire as his new home, he’s just beginning.
What often sets young professionals who succeed apart from the rest is their unwavering determination to excel and their readiness to make sacrifices. For Cesare Casadei, talent alone was never sufficient. He has held a clear goal from as far back as he can remember—to train and play football at the highest possible level. This mindset has undeniably paid off for the skillful playmaker who is now scripting the next chapter of his career with Leicester City.
Growing up in the province of Ravenna, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, his childhood dreams began to take shape when he watched his older siblings enjoying the sport that would soon become his primary focus.
Casadei reminisced, “I grew up playing football with my brothers. We played in front of my home all the time when I was a kid, probably around the age of three or four. I have two older brothers, and they were the reason I started playing. I played because they were playing, so I wanted to do the same sport. Eventually, I joined my first team, which was Cervia, the local team in my small city, close to where I lived. Football has been the sole sport I’ve ever played; I never engaged in any other sports—it has always been football.”
Cervia, a quaint seaside resort with a population of fewer than 29,000, is known for its picturesque sandy beaches that stretch along the Adriatic Riviera’s nine-kilometer coastline, drawing in numerous tourists.
His next stop, where he spent most of his formative years, was AC Cesena. Fondly called the Seahorses, I Bianconeri achieved promotion to the top tier of Italian football during Casadei’s time in the club’s youth ranks.
The opportunity for Cesare Casadei to leave behind his picturesque surroundings arose when, in 2018, he made the big move to one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.
Casadei, at the age of 20, explained, “After Cervia, I went to Cesena, where I had been since I was seven. I spent ten years there, progressing through the academy. Then, I transferred to Inter Milan.”
When one thinks of Milan, it conjures images of a bustling metropolis with historic landmarks, steeped in art, fashion, and entertainment. However, for a 15-year-old embarking on his first move away from the comforts of home, the reality is less glitz and glamour.
Nonetheless, this experience was instrumental in Casadei’s development. Although he never had the chance to grace the hallowed turf of San Siro as a player, the atmosphere at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium elevated his footballing aspirations.
Casadei shared, “While I played for Cesena, I was always near my home, so I didn’t have to live away. It was only about 20 minutes from my house, so I was quite comfortable. Inter Milan marked my first major move, and I was very young, around 15 years old. Naturally, at that age, it’s not easy to leave your home, live with other kids, and adapt to a new environment. It wasn’t straightforward initially, but after I got accustomed to it, everything turned out really well.
“This experience not only helped me as a player but also as a person, as I started living independently and handling things without my family. It was a significant part of my personal growth. Inter is a prominent club, and their academy is highly organized. They know what they’re doing, and they assisted me in various aspects. I was fortunate to meet many wonderful people, and I’m truly grateful for that.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t make my debut for Inter, but I attended numerous games as a spectator, so I relished being at San Siro, though not on the field, unfortunately.”
An opportunity to shine on the grand stage arrived during the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina this summer. Selected to represent Italy U20s, Casadei seized the chance to showcase his talents. Finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals and helping Italy reach the final before they were defeated by Uruguay, Casadei claimed both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards.
Despite collecting numerous accolades, there is still much to achieve. Now a part of the U21 squad with a potential call-up to the senior national team in the future, he aspires to follow in the footsteps of some of Italy’s illustrious footballers.
Casadei expressed, “Wearing the Italy shirt is always a moment of great pride. It’s a significant achievement and a wonderful feeling for me and my teammates. Every time I’m called up to the national team, I’m genuinely happy and excited.
“The World Cup was a fantastic experience. I was extremely proud of myself and our team because we had a remarkable journey in Argentina. We played brilliantly, and, to be honest, at the start of the World Cup, nobody had much faith in us. However, in the end, we demonstrated that we possess a strong team capable of achieving great things together.
“With each game, we gained more self-confidence. We reached the final and were incredibly excited about it. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as we had hoped, but we should be proud of everything we accomplished.
“I love scoring goals, and when you do it for your national team, it’s an incredibly special feeling, a unique moment. In that team, it wasn’t just me; everyone had immense passion, and we formed a close-knit group. We felt comfortable together, and I believe that’s our strength.
“My experience at Reading was positive because it was my first with an adult team and real football. It wasn’t the academy anymore, and you needed to adjust because it wasn’t easy, but it provided me with valuable experience, and I’m delighted to have gone through it. It’s different. Initially, it was a challenge for me, but I adapted quickly because I have a genuine love for football and an appreciation for the culture here in England. There’s a tremendous passion for football that I really admire. The mentality is different. When you change countries, you must adjust your mindset because you face significant changes, such as learning a new language and adapting to the culture and style of football. It’s a different experience, and initially, there are many adjustments to make, but over time, everything becomes second nature.”
The pursuit of growth, success, and achievement has been a driving force for Casadei since his love for the game began. His journey as a person and as a player is ongoing, and it will undoubtedly continue during his time with Leicester as an on-loan midfielder for the Foxes.