Crossword Genius

Article recalled following footballer in Italian city (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

messina

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'italian city' is the definition.
'messina' can be an answer for 'city' (I have seen 'City of Sicily ' mean 'messina' so perhaps 'city' could also mean 'messina'). I'm unsure of the 'italian' bit.

'article recalled following footballer' is the wordplay.
'article' becomes 'an' (indefinite article).
'recalled' says the letters should be written in reverse (to recall can mean to bring something back).
'following' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'footballer' becomes 'messi' (footballer Lionel Messi).
'an' back-to-front is 'na'.
'na' after 'messi' is 'MESSINA'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for messina that I've seen before include "Sicilian port" , "City in Sicily" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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