The story. Eighteen-year-old Taho from the suburbs to the Nerazzurri dream

Alain Taho recently turned 18. Not just any boy, but a Youth Football Promise. He is the goalkeeper of the under 18 team ofInter and Albanian U19 national team, since he was a child he dreamed of making a career in the most successful teams. He supports Real Madrid but his idol is Manuel Neuer, the man who revolutionized the role of the number one. Alain is inspired by him: he saves everything and shows confidence even with his feet. He starts playing in the suburbs of Milan with ASD Centro Schuster. His father is proud of him, even Inter notices that boy. On February 21, 2023 he makes his debut with the Albania U16 national team. In November of the same year he is called up by Albania U17. He takes part in three official matches with the U19. Not only that: in his adventure with the Nerazzurri he boasts 11 “clean sheets“ out of a total of 40 matches between U17, U18, U20 and Inter Youth League. His is an extraordinary journey, crowned in the season just ended by the call-up to the first team ofInter at the time led by Simone Inzaghi: it was the eve of the twenty-sixth matchday and in Appiano Gentile there was concern about Sommer's injury. And Inzaghi brought the young Albanian talent who grew up in Italy to the bench: on February 22, 2025, the day of Inter-Genoa, sitting next to the various Frattesi, Arnautovic and Bisseck there was none other than Alain Taho with the number 60 on his shoulders. A few weeks ago he reached the semi-final of the under 18 championship, now he is waiting for a new chance.

Stefano Fontanesi