He is being talked about as Slovakia’s biggest talent and the player who could become the most expensive transfer from Slovakia to a foreign country. Sharp winger Nino Marcelli (19) is a hot commodity in the transfer market, but Slovan Bratislava don’t want to give him up just like that. His price is skyrocketing, which the Whites are eager to take advantage of.

Marcelli is a native of Bratislava and came to Slovan’s academy at the age of nine. He immediately attracted the interest of the coaches with his talent. He played with the older players and was invited by AS Roma for a trial when he was a teenager. However, he had to miss almost two seasons due to injury which kept him out of action for two years.

Nevertheless, in the capital, they knew about his abilities, but they had to work with him responsibly. Marcelli gradually built up the necessary muscle mass and his individual quality began to show more and more. He demolished the talk of people who said that Slovakia can’t develop young players and only buys them.

Coach Vladimir Weiss gave him a chance in the summer training before the start of the 2023/24 season. Until then he was a member of the B-team in the second highest division in Slovakia. Upon his arrival to the team, he immediately impressed, so much so that he was in the starting line-up in the first round of league fixtures. In addition, he also earned a starting place in the European competition.

From the start, he played for the first time in the Europa League play-offs against Aris and set up the winning goal for David Strelc. A few days earlier, he scored his first goal for Slovan. By the time the Conference League group stages came about, he was already a strong member of the first team.

A transfer to Milan which didn’t materialise 

He was only 18 years old when he was chasing the crown of the top scorer in the Slovakian league. He eventually lost the race after three goals late in the campaign from his teammate Tigran Barseghjan. Marcelli scored 10 goals and two assists that breakthrough season. All of Europe was listening to the talk about the future star.

As it later emerged, AC Milan were very keen to buy him. Slovan’s general manager Ivan Kmotrik admitted as much in an interview with Sportnet, but added that the clubs had not agreed on a transfer fee. Marcelli’s price has risen from a hundred thousand euros to four million in a year and a half, making him the most valuable player in the league.

The Whites know well what talent they have in their squad and don’t want to let him leave “for peanuts”. The dream of the club’s management is to push a club to around the 10 million mark for Marcelli’s signature, which would make him the most expensive player in the top Slovak league, as the record is currently held by Andraz Sporar. He was also bought from Slovan by Portuguese side Sporting for six million.

For the time being, it seems that such a high sum is out of the question. On the other hand, he showed his genius to the world in the Champions League match against AC Milan earlier this season. 3-1 down and heading for defeat, Marcelli came off the bench and took a shot which found the top corner of the goal to stun Milan into silence. 

Weiss has been giving him minutes gradually

Head coach Weiss has remarked many times that he wants to work sensibly with Marcelli, which is why he sometimes is left on the bench.

“He is a great talent in Slovak football. If he was healthy, maybe he wouldn’t be in Slovakia anymore. He needs to continue like this, be healthy and develop. He has a great chance to be a great football player. He has the talent.”

He played 993 minutes out of a possible 1620 during the autumn part of the 2024/25 Nike Liga season. He has appeared in every game of the Champions League’s league stage so far, but only once in the starting line-up. However, he is gradually fulfilling the words Weiss said about him a year ago.

“He is dynamic, the fans have something to look forward to. He can be the star of Slovan. I believe that he will be here for a long time and will please people because they come to watch such footballers,” the experienced coach prophesied.

The future of the Slovak national team

Marcelli’s development is also being closely watched by national coach Francesco Calzona. “He has very good physicality, he has no fear in one-on-one situations. He needs continuity, to play regularly. If he continues like this, the door is open for him. He is the type who can be a great asset for the future,” he said.

The youngster could have made his debut for the national team during the November internationals, but he didn’t get an invitation to the Nations League games because the under-21 national team is in the sharp phase of preparation for next year’s European home championship, so it’s better for the Falcons to be together as often as possible.

This particular tournament could be a huge help for Marcelli, and his other teammates, in their quest for a move abroad. The matches will be watched by representatives of practically all clubs from the leading competitions in the continent. It can be expected that the name of Nino Marcelli will be mentioned more and more often beyond the Slovak borders.