Riccardo Calafiori

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Riccardo Calafiori
2024 Emirates Cup - Riccardo Calafiori (2) (cropped).jpg
Calafiori with Arsenal in 2024
Personal information
Full name Riccardo Calafiori [1]
Date of birth (2002-05-19) 19 May 2002 (age 22) [2]
Place of birth Rome, Italy
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) [2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 33
Youth career
2008–2010 Petriana
2010–2020 Roma
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2020–2022 Roma 10 (0)
2022 → Genoa (loan) 3 (0)
2022–2023 Basel 26 (0)
2023–2024 Bologna 30 (2)
2024– Arsenal 12 (2)
International career‡
2017 Italy U15 7 (0)
2017–2018 Italy U16 9 (1)
2018 Italy U17 3 (1)
2020 Italy U19 2 (0)
2021–2024 Italy U21 8 (0)
2024– Italy 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:58, 25 January 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 October 2024

Riccardo Calafiori (born 19 May 2002) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for Premier League club Arsenal and the Italy national team.

Contents

Calafiori began his senior career with Roma. He featured sparingly for the club, being loaned out to Genoa before departing to Basel and later Bologna. In July 2024, he joined Premier League club Arsenal for a reported fee of £42 million.

Calafiori has represented Italy through various youth levels since 2017, and made his senior debut in June 2024. He played for Italy during UEFA Euro 2024, starting in all three group matches.

Club career

Roma

A youth product of Roma, Calafiori signed his first contract with them on 16 June 2018. [3] [ better source needed ] Calafiori suffered a near career-ending injury to his knee on 2 October 2018. [4] Calafiori made his professional as well as Serie A debut with AS Roma in a 3–1 away victory against Juventus on 1 August 2020. During the match, he won a penalty which was successfully converted by teammate Diego Perotti, and Calafiori also scored a goal with a strike from distance following a corner. However, the goal was disallowed, as the ball had previously gone out of play. [5] [6]

The following season, on 3 December 2020, Calafiori was brought on by Roma coach Paulo Fonseca as Leonardo Spinazzola's substitute, [7] and scored his first professional goal in Roma's home win against Young Boys in the UEFA Europa League. [8]

On 14 January 2022, Calafiori joined Genoa on loan. [9]

Basel

On 30 August 2022, Roma announced that Calafiori had joined Basel on a permanent deal. [10] Calafiori signed a three-year contract with them and joined Basel's first team for their 2022–23 season under head coach Alexander Frei. [11] Calafiori played his domestic league debut for his new club in the away game at the Cornaredo on 9 October 2022 as Basel were defeated 1–0 by Lugano. [12] His beginnings with the team were difficult, but as the season evolved, Calafiori became secure and advance to become a regular starting player. He scored his first (and only) goal for his new team on 16 March 2023 in the away game at Tehelné pole as Basel played a 2–2 draw with Slovan Bratislava in the round of 16 of the 2022–23 Conference League. The game ended with an aggregate score 4–4. In the penalty shoot-out Calafiori also netted his attempt as Basel won this to continue in the next round. His goal in the second leg was an important contribution to FCB's route to the semi-finals of this competition. [13] Eventually in the semi-final, their campaign came to an unlucky end in the 10th minute of added time of the extra-time, because then they concided the decider and were defeated by ACF Fiorentina. [14]

With his strong performances, especially in the second half of the season, Calafiori aroused the interest of several clubs from his homeland and before returning to Italy at the end of August. [15] During his time with the club, Calafiori played a total of 44 games for Basel scoring just that one afore mentioned goal. 26 of these games were in the Swiss Super League, three in the Swiss Cup, nine in the Conference League and six were friendly games. [16]

Bologna

On 31 August 2023, Calafiori returned to Serie A and signed with Bologna alongside Basel teammate Dan Ndoye. [17] Under head coach Thiago Motta, he was switched to a centre-back role, where he emerged as one of the best players in the league. [18] On 20 May 2024, he scored his first Serie A goals by netting a brace in a 3–3 draw against Juventus, with Bologna conceding three quick goals following his substitution in the 75th minute. [19] Throughout the season, he helped Bologna qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 1964–65, ensuring a top-five finish in Serie A. [20] [21]

Arsenal

On 29 July 2024, Calafiori joined Premier League club Arsenal on a long-term contract [22] for a reported fee of £42 million. [23] He made his debut against Aston Villa on 24 August 2024. [24] On 22 September, on his first full start for Arsenal, Calafiori scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, scoring from outside the box following a drop pass from Gabriel Martinelli. [25] The goal was later voted Arsenal's goal of the month for September on the club's website. [26] Calafiori scored his second for the Gunners on 25 January 2025, this time a 74th minute away winner at Wolves. [27]

International career

On 3 September 2021, Calafiori made his debut with the Italy U21 squad, playing as a substitute in the qualifying match against Luxembourg, which Italy won 3–0. [28]

On 23 May 2024, he received his first official call-up to the Italy senior national team, being included in the preliminary squad for UEFA Euro 2024 by manager Luciano Spalletti. [29] He debuted for the senior team on 4 June, coming on as a substitute for Federico Dimarco in the 85th minute of a goalless friendly draw against Turkey in Bologna. [30]

Having subsequently been confirmed in the final squad for UEFA Euro 2024, [31] Calafiori made his competitive debut on 15 June, starting in a 2–1 victory over Albania in the group stage; [32] [33] at 22 years and 27 days, he became the second-youngest Italian to play in the UEFA European Championship, behind only Paolo Maldini. [34] He scored an own goal in Italy's 1–0 defeat to Spain in their second match. [35] In their final group stage match against Croatia, he assisted Mattia Zaccagni's stoppage-time equaliser in a 1–1 draw that sent Italy through to the round of 16 with a second-place finish. [36] However, he also received a booking during the match, which ruled him out of Italy's second round fixture against Switzerland, [37] after which Italy were eliminated from the tournament following a 2–0 defeat. [38]

Style of play

A left-footed defender, Calafiori started out playing as a left-back or left-sided wing-back, before being shifted to a centre-back role during his spell at Bologna, under manager Thiago Motta, due to his ability to start attacking plays from the back with his passing range, establishing himself as one of the best defenders in Serie A during the 2023–24 season. [18] [39] Tactically, he is capable of playing in a back three or a back four, and is known for his anticipation, as well as his aggressive and physical style when putting pressure on opponents. [40] [41] A quick and powerful player, he has been mainly praised for his technique and his shooting prowess from distance, while also being known for his ball-carrying ability. His height also makes him effective in aerial duels. As a full-back, he was capable of getting forward to provide crosses from the touchline, or assisting his team defensively with his quick recoveries. [40] [41] [42]

Considered to be one of the most promising Italian talents of his generation, [40] [43] he was included in The Guardian 's 2019 Next Generation list of the 60 best young talents in world football, [44] before being named as one of UEFA's "50 for the future" in 2021. [45]

Calafiori is widely regarded as 'The New Maldini' due his similarity in terms of nationality, position and style of play with Italian legend Paolo Maldini.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 29 January 2025 [46]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup [a] League cup [b] EuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Roma 2019–20 Serie A 1000—0010
2020–21 3000—5 [c] 181
2021–22 6000—3 [d] 090
Total10000—81181
Genoa (loan) 2021–22 Serie A30———30
Basel 2022–23 Swiss Super League 23030—8 [d] 1341
2023–24 3000—1 [d] 040
Total26030—91381
Bologna 2023–24 Serie A30230——332
Arsenal 2024–25 Premier League 12200105 [e] 0182
Career total81460102221106

International

As of match played 14 October 2024 [47]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Italy 202480
Total80

Honours

Individual

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References

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  2. 1 2 "Riccardo Calafiori: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  3. ↑ "Chi è Riccardo Calafiori, il baby-Kolarov della Roma blindato da Monchi". Calcio Fanpage (in Italian). 16 June 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  4. ↑ "Potenza, Rapidita, e Fisicita: Riccardo Calafiori, Il Baby Talento della Roma" (in Italian). 7 July 2020.
  5. ↑ "Juventus vs. Roma". Soccerway. Platform Group. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  6. ↑ Baldini, Sergio (1 August 2020). "Juve-Roma 1-3: Higuain non basta, ora testa alla Champions". Tutto Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  7. ↑ Manfredi, Jacopo (3 December 2020). "Europa League, Roma-Young Boys 3–1: Mayoral, Calafiori e Dzeko regalano il primo posto ai giallorossi". la Repubblica (in Italian). GEDI Gruppo Editoriale. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
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  11. ↑ "Riccardo Calafiori wechselt zum FCB" [Riccardo Calafiori moves to FCB]. FC Basel 1893 AG (in German). 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "Ein weitgehend harmloser FCB unterliegt in Lugano mit 0:1" [A largely harmless FCB beaten 1-0 in Lugano]. FC Basel 1893 AG (in German). 9 October 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  13. ↑ "SK Slovan Bratislava - FC Basel 1:4 n.P. (2:2, 2:2, 2:0)". Verein Basler Fussballarchiv (in German). 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
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  25. ↑ Watts, Charles (22 September 2024). "Arsenal player ratings vs Man City: Devastation for the Gunners! Leandro Trossard's red card eventually proves costly as colossal Gabriel Magalhaes & Co.'s rearguard is broken at the death in dramatic draw". Goal . Platform Group.
  26. ↑ "Calafiori wins our Emirates Goal of the Month". Calafiori wins our Emirates Goal of the Month. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  27. ↑ James, Josh (25 January 2025). "Report: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal". Arsenal.com.
  28. ↑ "Esordio con vittoria per la nuova Italia. Nicolato: "Ho visto un grande impegno, ma dobbiamo lavorare"". Italian Football Federation (in Italian). 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  29. ↑ "Scatta la missione Euro 2024: il 31 maggio Azzurri a Coverciano, ecco i 30 convocati per il raduno". Italian Football Federation (in Italian). 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  30. ↑ Triolo, Davide (4 June 2024). "Italia-Turchia | Calafiori: "Emozione grandissima, spero di andare all'Europeo"" [Italy vs. Turkey | Calafiori: "Great emotion, I hope to go to the European Championship"]. Sportface (in Italian).
  31. ↑ "Ufficializzati i convocati per EURO 2024, esclusi dalla lista Provedel, Ricci e Orsolini" (in Italian). Italian Football Federation. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  32. ↑ "Anche in Europa si sono accorti di Riccardo Calafiori". Il Post (in Italian). 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  33. ↑ "L'Italia parte male, poi rimonta: Bastoni-Barella, Albania ko e primi tre punti per i campioni d'Europa. Spalletti: "Cose buone, ma devono portare a qualcosa"". Italian Football Federation (in Italian). 15 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  34. ↑ "Calafiori secondo solo a Maldini: il record con l'Italia all'Europeo". Tuttosport (in Italian). 15 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  35. ↑ "Euro 2024 | Spain 1–0 Italy: Riccardo Calafiori own goal sends Spain into last 16 as Group B winners". Sky Sports . Sky Group. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  36. ↑ "Croatia 1–1 Italy: Zaccagni steers Azzurri into last 16". UEFA . 24 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  37. ↑ Johnston, Neil; Begley, Emlyn (24 June 2024). "Croatia 1–1 Italy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  38. ↑ "Spalletti: Italy Euro '24 failure my "responsibility"". ESPN. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  39. ↑ "The National Goal, the Champions League dream, and the memory of the injury. Calafiori: "Without those tough moments, these wouldn't have happened"". Italian Football Federation. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  40. 1 2 3 Mongiardo, Emmanuele (21 May 2024). "Calafiori ci ha ricordato cosa lo rende speciale" (in Italian). L'Ultimo Uomo. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  41. 1 2 "I difensori centrali più sorprendenti della prima parte di Serie A". 90min.com (in Italian). 4 December 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  42. ↑ Giachero, Matteo (2 May 2024). "Da Calafiori a Piccoli: 5 giocatori da plusvalenza nella 35ª al Fantacampionato". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  43. ↑ "Calafiori: Reports Bayer Leverkusen interested in promising Bologna defender". Football Italia. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  44. ↑ Christenson, Marcus; Powell, Jim; Blight, Garry; Bandini, Nicky (10 October 2019). "Next Generation 2019: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  45. ↑ "50 for the future: UEFA.com's ones to watch for 2021". UEFA. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  46. ↑ Riccardo Calafiori at Soccerway. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  47. ↑ "Riccardo Calafiori". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  48. ↑ "Riccardo Calafiori "EA Sports Player Of The Month" for May". Serie A. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  49. ↑ Young, Peter (2 December 2024). "Every category and Serie A nominee at the Gran Gala del Calcio". Football Italia. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
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