Joseph Minala who currently plays with Marsaxlokk, having previously featured for Sliema Wanderers and Gzira United, far from the prominence of Italian Serie A, a competition he once reached during his early career with Lazio. Born on 24 August 1996, the Cameroonian midfielder is now 29 years old and has spoken publicly about how an age related controversy in Italy affected his professional path.
Minala addressed his experiences in a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, where he outlined the events that followed a widely circulated claim in 2014 regarding his age. At the time, he was playing for Lazio Primavera and was part of a squad that included Keita Balde and Thomas Strakosha. During that season, a report published by a Senegalese website alleged that Minala was not 17 years old, as officially registered, but 42. The claim spread rapidly and became a recurring topic in Italian football media.
According to Minala, the allegation had lasting consequences. He stated that medical examinations and official documentation confirmed his year of birth as 1996. He also explained that doctors assessed his biological age as consistent with, or younger than, his chronological age. Despite these findings, the controversy continued to follow him throughout his time in Italy.
Minala also reflected on the personal challenges he faced before joining Lazio. He arrived in Italy at the age of 15 after being promised a trial opportunity but was abandoned at Termini Station by the individual who facilitated the move. He later entered the foster care system and attended several trials before being signed by Lazio, a move supported by the club sporting director Igli Tare. He made his Serie A debut under coach Edy Reja and later played for Salernitana, where he scored a notable goal against Avellino.
Despite these milestones, Minala believes the age controversy limited his opportunities within Italian football. He stated that clubs were unwilling to consider him due to the persistent doubts created by the earlier reports. As a result, his career progressed outside the Italian professional leagues, leading him to continue playing in Malta.
Minala story highlights how unverified claims can influence a footballer career trajectory, even when official records and medical assessments contradict those claims. His experience remains an example of how age disputes, once publicised, can have long term effects within professional football environments.
