What could El Shaarawy be after the premises and performances he had at Genoa? Probably one of the best talents of the last twenty-five years, so much so that he bewitched Milan and AC Milan over a decade ago, as a very young man, when everyone predicted an almost unstoppable rise for him. And then what happened? Several foot injuries – in particular to the fifth metatarsal – and the feeling of no longer being the same as before, so much so that he was first sold to Monaco, on loan. Then to Roma for a total of around 15 million euros.
However, his career was discreet, perhaps below what could have been expected. Especially with the move to China, to Shanghai Shenhua, he completely put his wallet in order. A transfer worth sixteen million euros for Roma, but also sixteen million euros a year for him. Sixteen appearances in two years, also due to Covid, and the return to the Giallorossi again.
It feels like it’s been around forever and, indeed, it has. Because the Genoa player has been playing between Serie A and Serie B for almost fifteen years, with varying success and in different roles, but always as a protagonist. Today Stephan El Shaarawy turns 32.