Kerim Alajbegović: The only young star of Juventus in an era of talent shortage

When the list of nominees for the Best Young Player Award (Kopa Trophy) was announced, Juventus fans might have paused for a moment. Among the brightest young talents in world football under 21, there was only one representative from Turin - Bosnia midfielder Kerim Alajbegović. While rivals like Inter Milan have Lautaro Martinez (though older, he remains a top-class model) or AC Milan boast several rising stars, Juventus have to rely on a very young player to make a mark on the global football map. This is not only a positive signal for Alajbegović's future, but also a wake-up call for a club that once dominated Serie A. In the past, Juventus produced legends like Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon, and more recently Paulo Dybala. But in the last two years, under coach Luciano Spalletti and previously Max Allegri, the club has gradually lost its ability to produce real stars from the youth academy. Expensive signings like Dusan Vlahovic or Federico Chiesa have yet to bring the club back to the European summit. And now, Alajbegović emerges as a ray of hope. According to close sources, the Juventus leadership led by sporting director Frederic Massara has not been hesitant to talk about pushing Alajbegović's career to the first team. They believe that the 20-year-old's impressive performances at the World Cup with Bosnia - where he scored against big teams and showed exceptional composure - will be the basis for Juventus to back him without hesitation. However, action is the ultimate measure. Is Spalletti willing to put him in the starting lineup from the beginning of next season? Tactically, Alajbegović is a flexible attacking player, capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or a deep-lying forward. His passing and rhythm-keeping are excellent, but his biggest strength is his calmness in the box. However, from watching his matches with Juventus U23, I noticed a problem: he does not yet have enough stamina to play a full match in Serie A. Juventus will need to build a specific training plan, or consider using him from the bench initially. This raises the question: Is Spalletti willing to sacrifice short-term results to develop a young talent? Another notable point is the absence of other Juventus young talents in the nomination lists. Except for Alajbegović, no other player from Turin was mentioned in the major Ballon d'Or categories. Meanwhile, Inter and AC Milan both have strong representatives. This shows Juventus is lagging behind their rivals in youth development. The reason may be that the club relied too much on blockbuster signings after selling Cristiano Ronaldo, falling into a financial spiral and being constrained by Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. Investment in the academy was neglected. But Alajbegović's story is not just about one player. It is a symbol of a new direction. If Juventus truly wants to rebuild the squad, they must start with people like him. Instead of buying expensive stars past their prime, why not give opportunities to hungry young talents? And Alajbegović is proving he deserves trust. In football, there are many stories of young stars being burned out due to excessive expectations. But Alajbegović has an advantage: he comes from a non-football powerhouse, so media pressure is not overwhelming. This gives him room to grow. However, Juventus must be careful. If they continue to keep him on the bench or send him on loan to an unsuitable club, they may lose a precious rough diamond. Looking back at history, players like Paul Pogba (who emerged from Juventus' academy before shining) or Moise Kean show that Juventus can create stars if they truly believe. Alajbegović could be the next. It all depends on the decisions of the leadership and coach Spalletti this summer and the coming season. In terms of media, the Goal.com article has created a wave of support for this player. Juventus fans on forums have started calling for Alajbegović to be given a chance. If Spalletti does not respond, public pressure could affect the dressing room atmosphere. But an experienced coach like Spalletti surely understands that long-term success requires investment in youth. In summary, Kerim Alajbegović is not only the hope of Juventus alone, but also proof that Italian football can still produce world-class talents if clubs change their mindset. It is time for Juventus to stop chasing flashy signings and start building from the foundation. And Alajbegović is the first brick.