Sebastian Giovinco's Legend Grows with Every Game

Despite only standing 5'5", people have high hopes for 21-year-old midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, who is one of the most talented youngsters in Italy.

Even though he has only played in three games at the end of the 2006-'07 season in Serie B for the Juventus senior squad, he is one of the clubs most popular players.

He is the star of Italy's U-21 National Team and is currently leading them at the Olympics in Beijing. He scored a fantastic goal to open Italy's tournament in a 3-0 victory over Honduras on Thursday.

Giovinco was impressive when on loan with Empoli last season and has been called back to his hometown team and will report for duty when he is done with the Azzurri in Beijing.

So, can things get much better?

Well, you may think it can't, but things have only begun for the Turin native.

"We believe a lot in him." Juventus head coach Claudio Ranieri said today in the Gazzetta dello Sport. "I think he could easily be the alternative to Pavel Nedved, albeit with different responsibilities and characteristics."

The expectations that he has on his shoulders are similar to Leo Messi when he was brought into Barcelona's senior squad. Giovinco is frequently called the "Italian Messi" because of the players' small stature.

He is expected by fans to be the next Juventus legend and the player to take over as the club's No. 10 after Alessandro Del Piero retires.

But for now, Giovinco has not let the big-time hype get to his head.

"Scoring in the Olympics doesn’t happen everyday, especially a goal like the one I scored," Giovinco told Il Corriere Dello Sport after the Honduras game. "I was supposed to learn how to shoot, and I have worked hard in that department. All that was missing was my shooting, and my objective is to get better."

However, things are not as perfect as they may seem. Giovinco and his agent are currently negotiating and demanding higher wages with Juventus.

"Our requests are purely linked to the objective value of the player," Giovinco's agent, Claudio Pasqualin, said in Tuttosport. "It should be underlined that he loves Juventus and would have no doubts in naming them as his dream team for the present and the future."

According to calciomercato, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to table a €7.5 million offer for the Juve midfielder.