Syossets Loradana Paletta set for dream debut…
America is getting its first style of Long Island’s best.
Loradana Paletta, Syosset’s soccer phenom who inked an NIL deal at age 14, is prepared to showcase her star-caliber abilities to the world by debuting with the USA’s under-17 national staff this week.
“It’s always been a dream when I was little — being on the national team,” Paletta informed The Post just before becoming a member of coaching camp for the Four Nations Tournament vs. Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada, which begins Saturday in Mexico City.
“I really want to make the U-17 World Cup roster, which is coming up soon. … For long-term goals, definitely the [senior] World Cup — winning gold,” added the midfielder, who initially was “really happy, excited, terrified, nervous.”
Loradana Paletta, 14, poses for a portrait at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay, N.Y. on July 21, 2025. Paletta signed her first NIL deal at age 14 with the Italian sportswear model Lotto. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Loradana Paletta is debuting with the USA’s under-17 staff this week. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Loradana Paletta, 14, poses for a portrait. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Pitch excellent
Paletta — the staff’s youngest member and a last-second call-up for the event — has been on the national U-16 staff for about a 12 months, where she has already thrived among the women, many of whom are two years older than her.
“I try to stay humble and not really brag about it,” the soon-to-be ninth grader at Syosset High School mentioned.
“I do tell my close friends, but I don’t really tell anybody else. They really just find out.”
Now, her story resonates effectively past the teenager cliques of the North Shore. Paletta turned the first American athlete — skilled or newbie — to signal a deal with the luxe Italian cleat and gear model Lotto.
She was plastered all over social media in a hype video for the mid-July announcement and obtained widespread reward from the soccer world. Paletta, who proudly sports activities tons of vividly coloured cleats from Lotto, is in designing her own cleats sometime as half of her branding portfolio.
Loradana Paletta exhibits off her cleats in a photoshoot. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Loradana Paletta exhibits off her cleats in a photoshoot. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
“Maybe in high school I could learn more about the business side of things,” she mentioned. “But right now, I just want to focus on my game and getting ready.”
Girl energy
Paletta mentioned that she doesn’t balk at the stress of taking part in the nation’s best soccer stars who are years older than her — and the younger teen has her household to thank for that.
“My dad always put me in teams with boys since I was little, even if they were two or three years older than me,” she mentioned.
Loradana Paletta, 14, poses for photographs at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay, N.Y. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
“I always had a passion — I wanted to be better than them … playing with the boys makes me stronger.”
Along with her soccer die-hard father Alain’s eagerness of difficult Paletta to attain new heights, older brothers Gianluca, 17, and Leonardo, 15, also performed their half.
“My brothers really toughen me up, and just really make me a better version of myself. I can be a leader around them,” mentioned Paletta, who added her 5-year-old sister, Luvisa, is next in line for soccer greatness.
Loradana Paletta pictured juggling a soccer ball. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Loradana Paletta pictured juggling a soccer ball. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
“They motivate me. They’re always there for me whenever I need them, especially when it comes to soccer. They would always pull me and go out to the field. It’s just nice to have big brothers there to support me.”
The household boot camp was so profitable that Paletta was in such high demand with male groups that one even adjusted its schedule so she might play with them.
Aside from Team USA, Paletta is also half of NYCFC’s boys U-14 academy squad, just like her brother Leonardo, who performs on the U-18 staff.
Loradana Paletta shoots the ball into the online. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Loradana Paletta Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
“My family is just my biggest supporters — my mom, my dad, my brothers, my little sister, they just all really connect to my story.”
And whether or not it’s at home or overseas, holding a top-tier customary is precedence primary for the longer term World Cup hopeful.
“I’m going to give it my all and play the best that I can because I don’t want to disappoint anybody,” Paletta mentioned.
Loradana Paletta blasts a soccer ball into the objective. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
“Also, I just want to be myself. Soccer brings me joy and love — and that’s the sport that I fell in love with, too.”
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