Marco Palestra has a clear message for Europe's elite clubs: he's ready for the big stage, and he's not afraid to say it. The Atalanta-owned wing-back, currently on a standout loan at Cagliari, opened up about his journey, his ambitions, and the surprising positional change that initially left him frustrated.

"I feel ready for a big club," Palestra told DAZN's My Skills show. "To improve, you must have ambition. It's what takes you from being a good player to a top player." And with every Serie A appearance this season, his confidence has only soared. "I didn't expect to be named in the Serie A Team of the Season in my first real campaign," he admitted. "If you'd told me that at the start, I wouldn't have believed you."

Palestra's rise is a testament to adaptability. A product of Atalanta's famed youth academy, he was initially "angry" when the club transformed him from a midfielder into a full-back. But the switch has paid off handsomely. Now a dynamic attacking threat on either flank—though he admits a preference for one side—he's become one of the most exciting prospects in Italian football.

His loan spell at Cagliari has been nothing short of transformative. "It has been a wonderful year that changed my life," Palestra said. "My Atalanta teammates told me I wouldn't regret coming here. You really feel welcomed. Cagliari is a unique club, with an entire island behind it." The Sardinian side has embraced him, but there's no option to make the move permanent, meaning he'll return to Bergamo this summer.

With giants like Inter and Arsenal reportedly circling, a return to Atalanta seems unlikely. For now, his focus is clear. "I'm dreaming of playing for Italy regularly," Palestra said. "And I know that depends on what I do now at Cagliari."