MILAN – "Have you seen this lad's physique?"
Those who frequented Inter's training ground were impressed most of all by Senna Malik Miangue's stature. Rumours had started circulating long ago that Inter had their eye on a young Belgian defender, but nobody expected he'd be that imposing – all 6'2'' of him.
That wasn't the end to the fans' surprise because, in those early days at what is today called the Suning Youth Development Centre in memory of Giacinto Fachetti, Senna's physique was as impressive as his coordination and stamina.
The Nerazzurri's famous talent spotter Pierluigi Casiraghi was sold on the youngster after watching him play for Belgium U16 against their peers from Austria. Casiraghi sought out his parents straight away in the stands to organise a meeting and explain what Inter could offer to a kid with such promise. The club had to fight off competition from Arsenal and other sides around Europe keen on the idea of acquiring the services of such a striking young man. Ultimately, Inter's youth academy, famous all over the continent for the quality of its youth development, won the race for his signature.
Initially, there was some confusion as to his name. Miangue is his surname; Senna his first name, chosen in homage to the legendary Formula One driver from Brazil, a hero for his father Boniface. Miangue Sr. was a good player himself back in the day, turning out in midfield for the Congo national team, which is why Senna has the option to play either for Belgium, which he's represented from the Under-15s to the Under-21s, or the country of his father's birth.
Born to a footballer with a racing driver's name, Senna actually started out with basketball – in hindsight perhaps the perfect sport to hone his coordination and elegant running style. In his upbringing in beautiful Antwerp, Miangue switched to football only aged 12, first at Hoboken and then Beerschot AC, from where Inter brought him to Italy.
The young defender arrived at Inter's youth academy to add tactical and technical ability to his physical prowess. At the start he was thought of as a centre half – his height an obvious advantage – but his ability to fly up and down the wing convinced his coaches to try him out as left back, and it was in that position where he made his senior debut at the start of this season, coming on for Davide Santon against Palermo.
He won the attention and curiosity of most onlookers: while his physique ensured he could hack it in the first team, his cultured left foot didn't go unnoticed. He rarely made mistakes and mentally was constantly focused on the game: this one's a proper player, was the almost unanimous verdict.
After a couple more appearances, the club decide to further his development elsewhere, sending him out on loan to Serie A side Cagliari. He chose shirt number 12, the very same that often graced Aryton Senna's car.
This latest product from Inter's prestigious hotbed of talent has warmed up his engines and is ready to take Serie A by storm.
Carlo Pizzigoni
