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‘Predestined’ Charles Leclerc Feels the Weight of Expectation From Italian Fans After Soccer Star’s Latest Comments

Somin Bhattacharjee
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‘Predestined’ Charles Leclerc Feels the Weight of Expectation From Italian Fans After Soccer Star’s Latest Comments

Charles Leclerc, who has been driving for Ferrari since 2019, is one of the most famous names in the sport. However, being a driver of the Prancing Horses means that his popularity level in Italy is even bigger than some can imagine. This was evident when young Italian soccer starlet Giorgio Scalvini hailed Leclerc for being a ‘predestined’ world champion, as per La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

Scalvini is one of the hottest talents in European soccer at the moment with a market value of $40,000,000, according to transfermarkt.. His recent performances, while playing for Atalanta, earned him a call for the Italian national team at the age of 18. Scalvini’s rising popularity among soccer fans has now transpired into the F1 community after his latest comments on Charles Leclerc.

In an interview with the Italian publication, the 19-year-old talked about his career, and how his life changed in the last two years. The center-back even revealed that he got to know about his selection in the Italian national soccer team when he was in school. However, what F1 fans came across was his love for Leclerc.

“The only one is Charles Leclerc”

Ferrari has one of the largest fan bases in F1, and in Italy, many people claim it is treated like a religion. Scalvini, like millions of Italians, is also a Ferrari fan. He too believes that Leclerc is the man who will bring championship glory back to Maranello.

A reporter asked him about how his life has been in the last two years. “The past two years have turned my life upside down,” he said. “But I don’t feel predestined, also because the only one is Charles Leclerc”

Admittedly, Leclerc has become one of the most adored figures in Italy, since joining Ferrari back in 2019. So far, he hasn’t had the opportunity to fight for the world championship with Ferrari. However, it is his dream to bring the Italian squad back to the top, and by doing so, he wants to fulfill Tifosi’s dreams too.

Charles Leclerc’s season so far

The 2023 season has not gone according to Leclerc’s plan so far. Ferrari has taken a step backward after a promising start to the 2022 season when they were winning races. Since then, Red Bull’s dominance, in addition to Aston Martin and Mercedes’ strong development, overshadowed their own progress.

Currently, the Monegasque driver is 7th in the drivers’ standings with 54 points to his name. His teammate Carlos Sainz is 5th with 68 points. As a team, Ferrari is still being outperformed by Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. They are P4 in the constructors’ championship with 122 points.

Leclerc’s last race win came in Austria last season, which is where F1 heads next this campaign. He will be looking to win his first race of the season at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, in a week’s time.

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Formula 1 Editor Somin Bhattacharjee fell for the sport as well as Fernando Alonso on the same day — during the Spaniard’s thrilling victory at the German GP in 2010. Over the years, the passion magnified manyfold, and metamorphosed into a writing career in 2021. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. He has penned over 2,700 articles for TheSportsRush, presenting a diverse range — news reports, opinions, and exclusives. A true Tiffosi, Somin never gives up on a chance to defend the Ferrari boys as a fan. As a sports writer though, he remains objective to the core and relishes opportunities to follow and engage in dissecting the action during races. That’s where the real thrill lies for him. Beyond the racetrack, Somin plays different sports including soccer. He enjoys exploring other sporting events and proudly supports Spanish soccer club Real Madrid.

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