Federico Macheda has spent all of his career trying to recreate his heroics on his Manchester United debut.
Back in 2009, Federico Macheda delivered a moment that fans lucky enough to be in attendance at Old Trafford will never forget.
Then just 17, the Italian wonderkid stepped off the bench amid a tightly contested Premier League game, hoping for one chance to try and make a difference. He got his moment, and he seized it.
Macheda’s instinctive turn and shot from the edge of the box sent fans wild and gave Manchester United a 3-2 win, and looked like it birthed a footballing superstar.
Macheda now playing in Greece
Federico Macheda did not develop into the superstar Manchester United fans hoped he might be.
Yet he has managed to keep his career going and last week he signed for a new club, penning a deal with Greek club Asteras Tripolis.
It is Macheda’s second spell in Greece, following a successful stint in Panathinaikos, and in between he has had stints in Turkey and Cyprus.
Macheda is joined in Greece this time by two former Manchester United players, with Facundo Pellistri at Panathinaikos, and Anthony Martial at AEK Athens.
And already, Macheda is outshining them both.
Federico Macheda does it again
Federico Macheda rolled back the clock at the weekend with shades of 2009 on his Asteras Tripolis debut.
Macheda, now 33, came off the bench in the 59th minute, with the game away at Athens Kallinthea tied at 1-1.
The former Manchester United wonderkid saw his side go 2-1 up, and then got on the scoresheet on his debut, making it 3-1 in the 77th minute.
It wasn’t quite Old Trafford in 2009 – but Macheda will take it.
15 years on, Macheda is still coming off the bench to score on his debut to give his side a win.
Asteras Tripolis have now moved up to seventh in the Greek Superleague, and Macheda will be hoping he can go on a scoring run.
Macheda wrote on Instagram: “Good start in a Great place! Feels good to be back.”
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