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Moise Kean Stole From A Priest So He Could Play Football As A Kid

Moise Kean Stole From A Priest So He Could Play Football As A Kid

Kean would play football behind a church, with each player having to pay 10 euros...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

In a short space of time, Moise Kean has gone from playing football behind a church to becoming a Juventus first-team player and an Italy international.

The 19-year old penned a youth conduct with the Bianconeri in 2010 and became the first player born in 2000 to feature in Serie A when he came on in the 84th minute against Pescara in 2016.

After a loan spell at Hellas Verona, he's proved his worth for Juve this term, scoring six goals in seven appearances and helping Max Allegri's side clinch an eighth consecutive Scudetto.

Kean is living the dream at the moment, with all his hard work and sacrifices paying off. In fact, the youngster has revealed that would 'beg, borrow, steal and save all week' just to play football with his mates around the back of a church back in the day.

Image: PA
Image: PA

He would even steal a ball from the local priest so that he compete in a 6-a-side game where there was €60 euros up for grabs.

"Once I was so desperate to play football that I stole a ball from a priest," he told The Players' Tribune.

"I grew up in Asti, near Turin, Italy. And if you wanted to play in our neighbourhood, you could always find a football in the priest's office at the oratory near our house.

"The priest was a nice man who kept all the balls in a drawer. But, you see, here's the thing: He never locked it.

"So every time I lost my own ball - maybe because I had kicked it over a fence - I would sneak over to the oratory, wait for the priest to go upstairs, and then take a ball from his drawer.

"When you grow up in Asti, you need a football at all times. Need it. I used to play football on an asphalt pitch behind the church. Six-vs-six.

"Each player had to pay 10 euros, I would beg, borrow, steal and save all week so I could afford my fee.

"The winning team would take all the money. I swear, everyone in Asti would come to the oratory to play: kids with money, kids with no money, tourists, locals, everyone.

"And it was a battle every week. If you got tackled you had to pretend it didn't hurt so people wouldn't pick on you.

"This is how I learned to play football. This is where my journey started. When you play football like that, you learn to play with hunger.

"So, yes. Once, I was so desperate to play football that I used to steal from a priest. And I thank God every day that I did."

Another wonderful story involving Kean involves his mother Isabelle, who spoke to Tuttosport about the moment he changed her life.

"We had little money. Then one day Moise calls me on my way to work at 5:30 AM and says 'Mom, I've a surprise'," she said.

"I told him 'No, don't tell me you didn't sign with Juve.'

"He replied 'I did and starting today you will quit your job and live with me in Turin'."

Started from the bottom, now he's here...

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Topics: Football News, Football, Serie A, Italian Football, Moise Kean, Juventus, Italy