Moise Kean: How Balotelli, Ronaldo and Mancini have helped Juventus' young star

Moise Kean, an Italian professional footballer, plays as forward for Serie A club Juventus and the Italy National Team - Getty

Just who is the 19-year-old Juventus striker who claims to be stealing all of Cristiano Ronaldo's football "secrets"?


Ronaldo scored the away goal that puts Juventus in charge of their Champions League quarter-final against Ajax, and is likely to be the centre of attention at Tuesday's second leg in Turin - but watch out for Moise Kean.

The teenager may not be a household name yet. But those in the know are tipping him to become one.

He has broken records in Italy and Europe, and has six goals in his past six appearances for club and country. Even though Juve surprisingly lost at SPAL last weekend, he will surely finish the season as a Serie A title winner.

But what is his story? Why is he so good? And how has he taken inspiration from Mario Balotelli?

Kean's development with club and country owes a lot to Balotelli.

Mancini's faith in players such as Kean seems to have paid off. Italy have won their past three games under the new boss and are unbeaten in six.

Balotelli was born to African parents, like Kean, and moved to Lombardy at the age of two. Both players have suffered racist abuse during their football careers and battled citizenship laws in Italy.BBCSport