The 18-year-old has scored three times in three Primavera 1 games, adding to a strong start across Milan’s youth teams.
A quick start across Milan’s youth sides
Max Anastasio’s fast start at AC Milan is giving the club an early return from its decision to bring the Australian teenager into its development system. The 18-year-old has scored in each of his last three Primavera 1 appearances, including against Monza’s Under-20s in a 5-0 win. That run has put a clear marker on his first spell in Milan, though a short streak can show promise without settling questions about consistency or his eventual role.
His recent form spans two levels: across his past four matches, Anastasio has four goal contributions. He also assisted on his debut for Milan’s Under-23 side, which competes in Serie D. Moving between those teams gives the club a chance to assess him in different settings, while asking him to adapt to different teammates and levels of competition. The performances suggest a young attacking midfielder finding his feet at a club that can offer a route from its academy toward senior football.
“I’m happy with my performance and the team’s performance,” Anastasio said after the Monza victory. “Personally, I’m always trying to attack more.” His comment points to an attacking instinct, but it also leaves open the practical question for Milan: how well can he balance forward movement with the responsibilities his team needs from him?
He added that Milan had played well against Fiorentina but been “unlucky,” and credited the week’s work for a display that was strong “both defensively and offensively.” The team, he said, was enjoying the result while turning its attention to the next match. That focus on preparation and both sides of the game offers a glimpse of how he’s thinking about performance beyond goals and assists.
A versatile attacker with a strong scoring record
Milan unveiled the Sydney-born player in July, bringing him into Milan Futuro, the club’s Under-23 development side intended to connect academy football with the first team. Anastasio arrived from Bologna, where he scored five goals for the Primavera team last season. Before that, he spent time in Venezia’s youth setup, scoring three times in 10 appearances for its Under-17s. Those stops provide useful context for his current run: he’s already experienced more than one youth environment, and his scoring has appeared at different stages of his development.
His profile offers Milan options across the front of midfield. Anastasio is an attacking midfielder who can also play on either wing or in a deeper central role. That range can help a developing player earn opportunities, but it also means his eventual best position remains something to establish through sustained performances. At 18, his positional flexibility and recent output give the club evidence to assess as he moves between the Primavera and Under-23 sides.
From Sydney to the Young Socceroos
Anastasio left NPL NSW club Marconi Stallions for Italy in 2024, after starring for NSW Sky at the National Youth Championships. He scored four goals and supplied four assists as the team won the tournament. Those figures underline why he drew attention before moving overseas, while the change from Australian youth football to Italian club football marks a significant shift in competition and daily environment. Marconi technical director Giovanni Morabito said the club was “very proud of Max” and excited to help him pursue his ambitions.
Internationally, Anastasio has represented Australia at Under-17 and Under-18 level. In March, he joined the Young Socceroos for the Australia–China Friendship Series, starting in their 4-2 win in the second game after beginning the opener among the substitutes. International selection adds another setting in which his development can be observed, though appearances at youth level don’t by themselves determine how quickly a player will progress at club level.
What the early form can tell Milan
The next stretch will show whether Anastasio can sustain his scoring while continuing to move between Milan’s youth teams. For now, his three straight Primavera goals and contributions at Under-23 level make him one to watch in the club’s development pipeline. This is more significant than it looks: the value lies not only in the goals, but in evidence that he can contribute in more than one squad setting.
That said, early output has limits as a guide to a young player’s ceiling. Similar development systems typically need to weigh production alongside adaptation, decision-making and the ability to meet different tactical demands over time. Milan’s setup gives Anastasio chances to be assessed across levels, but the next steps depend on whether his performances continue to translate as the opposition and expectations change.
If you’re working in this space, the useful question is whether the club can turn a promising start into a clear development path. (And this is the part most people overlook.) A flexible role can open doors, but a settled understanding of where a player has the greatest impact matters too. For now, the evidence is encouraging. The verdict is still out.
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