Miguel Di Pizio is making waves for Central Coast Mariners and the Joeys. The exciting Australian prospect, in camp with the Joeys, chats to KEEPUP’s Sacha Pisani.
Central Coast Mariners and their famed production line has helped unearth some of the most exciting talents in Australian football. Miguel Di Pizio is the latest off that conveyor belt.
He is the dazzling Mariners prospect who has already had a taste of Isuzu UTE A-League football and is at the centre of the Joeys’ bid to win the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup in Thailand.
Watching the young midfielder on the field, fans and pundits alike are not only quickly able to get a picture as to why he is so highly rated, but where the 17-year-old’s style stems from.
“Growing up I watched a lot football. I watched a lot of (Argentina international and Roma star Paulo) Dybala in Serie A. Watched a lot of his football, so grew up modelling my game around him,” Di Pizio told KEEPUP.
“Also in recent years, just trying to get a complete game of myself. Be the perfect player who can defend, attack, score goals, defend goals.”
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Di Pizio has not looked back since making the move from Western Sydney Wanderers at the start of the 2023 NPL season.
The pathway in Gosford that seen the likes of Alou and Garang Kuol, Kye Rowles, Nectarios Triantis and Anthony Pavlesic emerge was the reason he moved to the coast in the first place.
“Just to see how many youngsters were coming through. They give you the opportunity and the rest is up to you,” said Di Pizio, who signed a scholarship contract in April.
“They offer young players a different taste of football. If you’re good enough, you play. You need to earn it there.
“You make your way up the ranks from NPL up to A-League. It’s definitely been a good move.”
Di Pizio has been flourishing in Abbas Saad’s NPLM NSW team, with his performances catching the eye of Nick Montgomery’s senior side.
He made his Isuzu UTE A-League debut during Central Coast’s Championship-winning season last term, coming off the bench in the F3 Derby against Newcastle Jets in April.
“It was huge,” he said. “A dream come true, even though only playing a small amount of minutes it was a great experience. Very grateful for Sergio (Raimundo) and Monty for giving me the minutes.”
Di Pizio, who has been regularly training with the Mariners’ first team, added: “Every session you have to give 100%.
“All the boys are very professional and they hold high standards. So you have to be able to hold your own when you train in the A-Leagues and with the best.”
When Di Pizio signed his scholarship deal, the Mariners said the former Joeys captain had attracted interest from clubs across the globe.
After his two-goal haul in Central Coast’s 2-0 win over Marconi Stallions in the NPL last month, Saad told NPL NSW: “(The) sky’s the limit for him.
“He’s a talented kid, and physically he’s already there. It’s unbelievable that at 17 he’s already the player he is. He’s super professional, he wants it, he’s hungry.
“I tell him that if he wants to go overseas, be ready so you can go overseas and stay overseas. Most of our kids go over not ready. He’s ready, he’s got a great attitude, and I really hope he goes all the way.”
So what does the future hold for Di Pizio?
“My dream is to obviously play European football and play for the Socceroos,” he stated.
“But at the moment, just taking it one game at a time. One season at a time. Not looking too much to the future at the moment, just focusing on the present.”
Feature image credit: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 2023
