The goalkeeper who survived a firework explosion to reach La Liga
In short: In February 2026, an exploding firework landed just behind Emil Audero during a match. The Italian-born goalkeeper survived the blast with only minor injuries, continuing his journey from Juventus prodigy to a historic milestone for Indonesian football.
Emilio Audero Mulyadi’s career has been defined by high-stakes transitions and remarkable resilience. Spotted by Michelangelo Rampulla at age 11, Audero entered the Juventus youth system in 2008. While he spent years on the bench for the senior squad—including being called up by Massimiliano Allegri as early as November 2014—he finally made his professional debut on 27 May 2017, at age 20, in a 2–1 victory over Bologna.
His path through the Italian leagues saw significant movement, including a €20 million permanent transfer to Sampdoria in 2019 and a loan spell at Inter Milan. During the 2025–26 season, Audero demonstrated elite shot-stopping, recording 125 saves—the highest in Serie A. This period also included a harrowing moment on 1 February 2026, when an Inter Milan fan threw a firework that exploded behind him. Despite suffering a burn and a cut on his leg, Audero finished the match.
Beyond the pitch, Audero’s identity has been a complex navigation of dual nationality. Born in Mataram, Indonesia, to an Indonesian father and Italian mother, he represented Italy at every youth level. However, after losing his Indonesian nationality at 21 due to declaration errors, he officially reacquired his Indonesian citizenship on 10 March 2025, renouncing his Italian citizenship to represent Indonesia. In September 2026, he made history as the first Indonesian to play in La Liga during his debut for Rayo Vallecano.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Emil Audero
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