*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 07:44, 21 May 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 June 2024
Riccardo Calafiori (born 19 May 2002) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Serie A club Bologna and the Italy national team. He is regarded as one of Italy's top young defenders, renowned for his physicality, positioning, and marking abilities.
Club career
Roma
A youth product of Roma, Calafiori signed his first contract with them on 16 June 2018.[2] Calafiori suffered a near career-ending injury to his knee on 2 October 2018.[3] Calafiori made his professional debut with Roma, as well as his Serie A debut, in a 3–1 away win over Juventus on 1 August 2020; during the match, he won a penalty, which was successfully converted by teammate Diego Perotti, and he also scored a goal with a strike from distance following a corner, which was disallowed however, as the ball had previously gone out of play.[4][5]
On 14 January 2022, Calafiori joined Genoa on loan.[8]
Basel
On 30 August 2022, Roma announced that Calafiori had joined Basel on a permanent deal.[9] Calafiori signed a 3-year contract with Basel.[10] He joined Basel's first team for their 2022–23 season under head coach Alexander Frei. Calafiori played his domestic league debut for his new club in the away game in the Cornaredo on 9 October 2022 as Basel were defeated 1–0 by Lugano.[11]
Bologna
On 31 August 2023, Calafiori returned to Serie A and signed with Bologna.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15][16]
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.[17]
Having subsequently been confirmed in the final squad for UEFA Euro 2024,[20] Calafiori made his competitive debut on 15 June, starting in a 2–1 victory over Albania in the group stage;[21][22] at 22 years and 27 days, he became the second-youngest Italian to play in the UEFA European Championship, behind only Paolo Maldini.[23] He scored an own goal in Italy's 1–0 defeat to Spain in their second match.[24] 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.[25] However, he also received a booking during the match, which ruled him out of Italy's second round fixture against Switzerland,[26] after which Italy were eliminated from the tournament following a 2–0 defeat.[27]
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.[13][28] 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.[29][30] 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.[29][30][31]
Considered to be one of the most promising Italian talents of his generation,[29][32] in 2019 he was included in The Guardian's Next Generation list of the 60 best young talents in world football,[33] before being named as one of UEFA's "50 for the future" in 2021.[34]
