Kerim Alajbegovic’s star continues to shine. The teenager is taking the stage in his own way — first with Juventus, where he has already scored his first European goal against NEC; then with the Bosnian national team, where he was the protagonist of a spectacular direct corner-kick goal that the referee subsequently ruled out. Born in 2007 and living the most intense months of his young career, Alajbegovic spoke to SportMediaset after Bosnia’s draw with Poland during the international break — and the words he chose will resonate warmly across Turin.
“When Juventus Call, You Don’t Think Twice — You Just Go”
On the decision to join Juventus — the move that beat Chelsea in the race for his signature over the summer — Alajbegovic was direct and entirely free of any diplomatic qualification. “If you are talking about Juventus and an offer arrives from them, you cannot think twice — you just have to go. It was a great decision for me. The supporters are fantastic and give us energy.” It is the declaration of a teenager who has grown up understanding what this shirt means before ever wearing it. The move from Bayer Leverkusen for €30 million plus €5 million in bonuses was facilitated by Miralem Pjanić, who acted as the personal bridge between the player and the club. Five appearances across Serie A and the Europa League — and already a goal of real quality in Europe — confirm that the conviction was well placed.
“Spalletti? I Need Him — He Gives Me the Right Instructions”
The second chapter of the article, paywalled, addresses the relationship with Luciano Spalletti directly. The title — “Ho bisogno di lui” — captures a declaration of dependence that is, from a teenager of Alajbegovic’s talent and confidence, one of the more surprising and more endearing passages of the interview. The paywalled content confirms that Alajbegovic has spoken warmly about the specific guidance Spalletti provides and the trust the manager has demonstrated in giving him minutes in both Serie A and European competition from the very opening weeks of his first senior season.
On the Scudetto — the Ambition That Belongs to This Squad
The third chapter — “L’obiettivo e le ambizioni” — addresses the competitive targets directly. What has filtered from the SportMediaset interview concerning the Scudetto is consistent with everything Alajbegovic has said since his arrival: he is at Juventus to win, he understands the history of the institution he has joined, and he regards the ambition to compete for the championship not as an external pressure but as the natural expression of everything the club represents. At 19 — the age at which the most talented players begin to understand that ambition and capability must be built simultaneously — it is exactly the right way to think. The star is shining. And the shirt, which required no deliberation to choose, is beginning to feel entirely like home.
