Palma gets first Italy call after representing Germany at U18 level

Palma gets first Italy call after representing Germany at U18 level Italy have called up Udinese and Germany Under-18 international defender Matteo Palma for the Nations League games with France and Belgium, as Roma’s Gianluca Mancini is out injured. The Azzurri are set to complete their Nations League Group A fixtures against France at San Siro on Thursday November 11, then visit Belgium on Sunday November 15. Coach Roberto Mancini had called up his squad for the games on Thursday evening, but has been forced into some changes due to fitness issues. Mancini out for Italy, Palma in BOLOGNA – OCTOBER 05: Roberto Mancini, Manager of Italy, speaks to Gianluca Mancini of Italy during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and Türkiye at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on October 05, 2026 in Bologna. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Gianluca Mancini pulled out of the Roma side for this evening’s Serie A match against Sassuolo with a flexor problem in the right thigh, and it is enough to rule him out for international duty as well. In his place, the Azzurri have given 18-year-old talent Palma his first senior Italy call , which also represents a change of nationality. TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 02: Lois Openda of Juventus is challenged by Matteo Palma of Udinese Calcio during the Coppa Italia match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus at Allianz Stadium on December 02, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Palma was born in Berlin in March 2008, and represented Italy at the youngest level, switching to Germany for the Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 teams. He was in the Hertha Berlin youth academy before moving to the Udinese side in 2022. UDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Matteo Palma of Udinese heads the ball during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on August 22, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images) The defender made six Serie A appearances this season, scoring one goal.