The New Golden Generation | of Italian Football Players The Best Young Players

World-class football players have long been produced in Italy, a country with a rich and historic history of developing young football ability. Italy boasts a vibrant football culture, and its youth programs have produced many gifted players who have gone on to win championships both home and abroad.

Numerous young players, like Paolo Maldini, Francesco Totti, Alessandro Der Piero, Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Canavero, and many others, have made the trip from very skilled young players to global icons. These instances demonstrate Italy's history of developing young talent and introducing them to elite football at a young age. The nation has a legacy of generating elite athletes as well as leaders and icons in the field.

The next wave of football talent in Italy is still mostly being developed by the Italian Serie A and the youth academies of elite clubs. Young Italian football players can follow successful football careers by taking advantage of many opportunities to develop their skills. Professional academies, competitive youth leagues, and the nation's extensive youth development programs are frequently the conduits for these chances.

The majority of elite Italian football teams have well-established "Primavera" teams, which are their junior academies. Young talent is developed in these academies, which also offer players a disciplined setting in which to improve and advance through the ranks. We delve deeper into the top young Italian football players in this post. Perhaps by 2024, we'll be able to identify the top young Italian players.

Everything there is to know about Italy's top young football players.

As one of the most successful national teams in World Cup history, Italy has won four titles (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) and advanced to the finals twice (1970, 1994). However, since the Azzurri's golden age of football players is coming to an end, they will need to find new players who can fit into this historic squad.

We will learn more about the most gifted Italian football player in this article, along with the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, like: Who works in Italian academies? Who are the youngest players to represent Italy? And who is the best young player in the Seri A?

Distinguished Mention

• Federico Dimarco
•  Barella Nicolò
• Scamacca Gianluca
• Federico Chiesa
• Bastoni, Alessandro 

1. Italy Youth Academy

Italian youth academies are seeing an increase in enrollment. Italy has a well-established and famous youth academy system, which is critical in the development of young football talent. Youth academies in Italy are frequently associated with professional football clubs. They are intended to develop and train young players early on, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to excel in professional football.

The youth academy structure in Italy normally contains a variety of age levels, ranging from very young to U19. These academies are designed to help players improve their technical talents, tactical understanding, physical fitness, and mental game. Young players advance through the ranks, eventually making it to the first team.

Several Italian football clubs, like AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, AS Roma, and others, are well-known for developing the best young Italian football players through their successful youth academy programs. These clubs make significant investments in their youth development programs, emphasizing the value of homegrown talent to the club's long-term success.

Players that graduate from these academies frequently go on to represent their clubs at the professional level and may even be called up to the Italian national team. The youth academy system in Italy is an important aspect of the country's football culture and helps shape the future of Italian football.

Best italian football player 

In this section of our post, we'll learn more about some of the top young Italian football players. Many young Italian players, like Nicolo Zaniolo, Federico Chiesa, Nicolo Barella, Sandro Tonali, Manuel Locatelli, and others, have advanced to the top levels in the recent five years. In this post, we will talk about the young Italian XI, who have already proven their potential at such a young age.

2. Gianluigi Donnarumma

Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the most talented young Italian footballers. He was born on February 25, 1999, in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, and currently plays goalie for Paris Saint-Germain and captains the Italian national team. Donnarumma began his professional career with AC Milan in 2015, after emerging from the club's youth development program.

He made his Serie A debut at 16, making him the second-youngest goalie to do so. He quickly established himself as the most promising young goalie in the world at the time. In 2021, Donnarumma was instrumental in Milan finishing second in the 2020-21 Serie A, clinching qualification for the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League after an eight-year absence.

He was named the Serie A Best Goalkeeper of the Year, the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper, and the winner of the renowned Yashin Trophy. After six years at Milan, Donnarumma joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in June 2021. Donnarumma became the youngest Italian to play for the U21 team in March 2016.

Only six months later, he made his senior international debut, becoming the youngest goalkeeper in history to represent Italy. Donnarumma also played an important role in Italy's representation at UEFA Euro 2020, helping the squad win the tournament and collecting the prestigious Player of the Tournament honor. Without a doubt, he is the top young Italian goalie.

3. Mateo Retegui

Mateo Retegui is one of the most talented young Italian footballers. He was born on April 29, 1999 in San Fernando, Argentina, and currently plays for Genoa and the Italian national team. Retegui started his professional career at Boca Juniors. He was promoted to the club's main team for the 2017-18 Argentine Primera División season. In January 2019, Retegui signed an eighteen-month loan with Estudiantes.

In February 2022, Retegui moved to Tigre on a loan until 2023. On July 26, 2023, Retegui signed a five-year contract with Serie A club Genoa for a reported €15 million transfer fee. His memorable debut with Genoa was highlighted by scoring his first two goals for the club on August 11, 2023, in a Coppa Italia match against Serie B side Modena. With Italian ancestry, he chose to play for the Italian national team.

Retegui was officially called up to the Italy national team on March 17, 2023, and he made an immediate impact by scoring in his international debut on March 23, against England. On March 26, he continued his stellar run by scoring the winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Malta. This achievement made him the first player since Pierino Prati in 1968 to score in his first two competitive matches for the national team, as well as one of Italy's top players.

4. Fabio Moretti 

Fabio Moretti is one of the most talented young Italian footballers. He was born on August 3, 2003 in Pinerolo, Italy, and currently plays for Juventus as well as the Italian national team. Miretti began his youth football career with Auxilium Saluzzo in 2007, before moving to Cuneo's development system the following year. Miretti joined Juventus in 2011 and advanced through the club's various junior categories.

In February 2021, he made his professional football debut with the U23 team at the age of 17. Miretti established himself as a regular for Juventus U23 the following season, and he reached milestones by making his Serie A and UEFA Champions League debuts for the first club. He also helped the U19 team go to the UEFA Youth League semi-finals.

His continuous performance resulted in a permanent promotion to the first team for the 2022-23 season. Miretti has been with Italy's youth national teams since 2018, scoring nine goals in 40 appearances at all levels. At 19, he made his senior debut for Italy, coming on as a late substitute for Nicolò Barella in a friendly match against Austria in Vienna.

5. Destiny Udogie

Destiny Udogie is one of the top young Italian footballers. He was born on November 28, 2002, in Verona, Italy, and currently plays as a left back for Tottenham Hotspur and the Italian national team. Udogie advanced through Hellas Verona's development system before making his Serie A debut on November 8, 2020, in a 2-2 draw against Milan. Udogie then signed a season-long loan with an obligation to purchase with Udinese on July 15, 2021.

In his rookie season, he appeared in 37 games and scored five goals. Udogie debuted for Tottenham against Brentford on August 13, 2023. He scored his first Premier League goal for Tottenham in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United. Following that, on December 12, Udogie signed a new deal with the club, extending his term until 2030.

He received his first official call-up to the Italian senior national team on October 6, 2023, from head coach Luciano Spalletti. Then, on October 14, 2023, Udogie made his Italian debut in a Euro qualification match against Malta. In an impressive performance, he assisted Davide Frattesi in scoring a goal in the 93rd minute of the game.

6. Wilfried Gnonto

Wilfried Gnonto is one of the most talented young Italian footballers. He was born on November 5, 2003 in Verbania, Italy, and currently plays as a winger for Leeds United and the Italian national team. Gnonto, who had been in Inter Milan's development system since the age of nine, joined Swiss club Zürich on April 23, 2020. In his second season with Zürich, he won the Swiss Super League title for 2021-22 with four games remaining.

On September 2, 2022, Gnonto agreed to a five-year contract with Leeds United. His Premier League debut came on October 29, when he helped Leeds beat Liverpool 2-1. Gnonto reached a milestone on January 4, 2023, when he scored his first Premier League goal for Leeds against West Ham United.

Gnonto made his senior Italian national team debut on June 4, 2022, in a UEFA Nations League match against Germany. On June 14, in Italy's fourth group encounter, he set another record by scoring his first international goal in a 5-2 defeat to Germany. This accomplishment earned him Italy's youngest goalscorer.

7. Giorgio Scalvini

Giorgio Scalvini is one of the most talented young Italian footballers. He was born on December 11, 2003, in Chiari, Italy, and currently plays centre back for Atalanta and the Italian national team. In 2015, he joined the Atalanta Youth Sector. On November 8, 2020, Scalvini was called up to the first team for a Serie A match against Inter Milan. Scalvini's U19 team won the Supercup on January 21, 2021, defeating Fiorentina.

His Atalanta debut came on October 24, 2021, at the age of 17, in a home match against Udinese. Scalvini reached a big milestone on April 18, netting his first professional goal in Atalanta's 2-1 loss to Verona. He came on as a second-half replacement for the senior national team in a match against Germany on June 14, 2022.

8. Giacomo Raspadori

Giacomo Raspadori is one of the most talented young Italian footballers in Serie A. He was born on February 18, 2000 in Bentivoglio, Italy, and currently plays forward for Napoli and the Italian national team. Raspadori joined Sassuolo's youth academy in 2009. On May 26, 2019, he made his professional debut for Sassuolo, losing 3-1 to Atlanta in the Serie A.

Raspadori joined Napoli on a one-year loan on August 20, 2022. He scored his first Champions League goal in a 3-0 away win over Rangers. On October 12, he contributed to a 4-2 victory over Ajax, advancing his club to the last round.

In June 2021, coach Roberto Mancini included Raspadori to the final 26-man team for the UEFA Euro 2020 competition. On June 4, 2021, he made his debut for Italy in a friendly victory over the Czech Republic. Raspadori scored his first goal for the Italian senior national team in a World Cup qualifying match against Lithuania on September 8, 2021.

9. Sebastiano Esposito

Sebastiano Esposito is one of the most talented young Italian footballers. He was born on July 2, 2002 in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, and currently plays forward for Sampdoria and the Italian national team. Esposito began his professional football career at the age of 16 and made his Inter Milan debut on March 14, 2019. He later entered Champions League play, making his debut against Borussia Dortmund on October 23, 2019.

On September 25, 2020, he started a loan with SPAL. He later joined Venezia on loan on January 15, 2021. Esposito started another loan spell on August 22, 2023, this time with Serie B club Sampdoria.

He competed in the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and reached the final. His first debut for the Italy U21 team came on September 3, 2020, in a friendly match against Slovenia.

FAQ

Q.1 What impact do Italian football clubs have on developing fresh talent?

Ans. Numerous Italian football clubs are renowned for developing outstanding young talent within their strong youth programs. AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, AS Roma, and other clubs devote major resources to youth development efforts, emphasizing the importance of locally produced talent in assuring long-term success for the club.

Q.2  Who is one of the top young players for the national team?

Ans. Mateo Retegui is one of the top young Italian football players, scoring in every game he's played and having a huge impact on national team matches.

Q.3  Why is football essential in Italian culture?

Ans.  They consider the players as national heroes, bringing honor and acclaim back to the country with each win.

Q.4   What's a surname for Italian football fans?

Ans.    The Blues

Italy - Gli Azzurri (The Blues), La Nazionale (The National Team) The Italian national flag, known as the Tricolore, is made up of vivid green, white, and red stripes. So, why the Blues? To honor the color of the Royal House of Savoy, which united the nation in 1861.

Q.5   How many FIFA does Italy have?

Ans.  Italy is one of the most successful national teams in World Cup history, winning four trophies (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), one fewer than Brazil.

Conclusion 

With a brilliant array of young talent poised to take flight, the future of Italian football looks brighter than ever. Prepare to be enthralled by the Azzurri's new chapter of triumph.