Riccardo Calafiori is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Bologna FC 1909 in the Serie A and the Italy national team. Calafiori was born on May 19, 2002, in Rome, Italy. He is known for his impressive physical attributes, including his speed, strength, and aerial ability.
Calafiori began his youth career at Roma, where he quickly caught the attention of scouts with his impressive performances. He made his professional debut for the club in 2019 and has since become a regular member of the first team. Calafiori’s impressive performances have earned him comparisons to some of the best defenders in the world, and he is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in Italian football.
In this article, we will take a closer look at Riccardo Calafiori’s player profile and stats. We will examine his early life and career, his player profile, his club career, and his international career. We will also delve into some of the off-field aspects of his life, including his hobbies and interests. Finally, we will answer some frequently asked questions about Calafiori and provide some key takeaways about his career so far.
Key Takeaways
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- Riccardo Calafiori is a promising young footballer who plays as a defender for Bologna FC 1909 and the Italy national team.
- Calafiori is known for his impressive physical attributes, including his speed, strength, and aerial ability.
- In this article, we examined Calafiori’s early life and career, his player profile, his club career, his international career, and some of the off-field aspects of his life.
Riccardo Calafiori Early Life and Career
Youth Career
Riccardo Calafiori was born on May 19, 2002, in Roma, Italy. He started playing football at a young age and joined the youth academy of AS Roma, one of the top football clubs in Italy. Calafiori quickly made a name for himself as a talented defender, impressing coaches and teammates with his skills on the field.
Riccardo Calafiori Professional Debut
Calafiori signed his first professional contract with AS Roma on June 16, 2018, after completing his youth career with the club. He suffered a near career-ending injury to his knee on October 2, 2018, which kept him out of action for several months. However, he recovered quickly and made his professional debut for Roma on August 1, 2020, in a 3-1 away win over Juventus. During the match, he won a penalty, which was successfully converted by teammate Jordan Veretout.
Since then, Calafiori has become an important player for Roma, featuring regularly in the Serie A and other competitions. He has also been called up to the Italian U-21 national team, showcasing his potential and talent as a rising star in Italian football.
Overall, Calafiori’s early life and career have been marked by hard work, dedication, and a passion for football. He has shown great promise as a defender and is expected to continue to make a name for himself in the years to come.
Player Profile
Position and Playing Style
Riccardo Calafiori is an Italian professional footballer who currently plays as a left-back for Bologna FC 1909 in the Serie A and the Italy national team. He was born on May 19, 2002, in Rome, Italy. Calafiori is known for his speed, technical ability, and attacking mindset. He is also capable of playing as a left midfielder.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Calafiori’s main strength is his attacking prowess. He is a quick and agile player who loves to dribble past opponents and create scoring chances for his teammates. He has excellent crossing ability and can deliver accurate crosses from the left flank. Calafiori is also a good passer and has a good vision of the game.
On the other hand, Calafiori’s main weakness is his defensive abilities. He is often caught out of position and is not very strong in one-on-one situations. He needs to work on his defensive skills to become a complete left-back. Calafiori is also prone to making mistakes, which can be costly for his team.
Overall, Riccardo Calafiori is a young and talented player with a lot of potential. He has already shown glimpses of his abilities in the Serie A and is expected to become a top left-back in the future.
Riccardo Calafiori Club Career
Statistics by Season
Riccardo Calafiori began his professional career with AS Roma. He made his Serie A debut on August 1, 2020, in a 3-1 away win over Juventus. During the match, he won a penalty, which was successfully converted by his teammate. In the 2020-2021 season, he made 11 appearances in Serie A and 2 appearances in the UEFA Europa League. He also scored his first ever goal for Roma in the Europa League against BSC Young Boys.
In the 2021-2022 season, Calafiori was sent on loan to FC Basel in Switzerland. He made 16 appearances in the Swiss Super League, scoring one goal. After his loan spell ended, he returned to Roma for the 2022-2023 season but only made one appearance in Serie A. In the summer of 2023, he was transferred to Bologna FC 1909.
Notable Performances
One of Calafiori’s most notable performances came in the Europa League group stage match against BSC Young Boys on November 4, 2021. He scored his first ever goal for Roma in the 53rd minute, which proved to be the winning goal in a 1-0 victory. He also played a key role in Roma’s 3-2 victory over Sassuolo in Serie A on December 5, 2021. Calafiori provided the assist for Roma’s second goal and played the full 90 minutes in the match.
International Career
Riccardo Calafiori has represented Italy at various youth levels, including the U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18, and U-19 teams. He made his debut for the Italy U-21 team on March 25, 2023, in a friendly match against the Netherlands U-21 team.
Calafiori’s impressive performances for Bologna in the Serie A have earned him a call-up to the Italy senior team. He made his debut for the senior team on June 7, 2024, in a friendly match against France.
Calafiori’s versatility as a defender has made him a valuable asset for the Italy national team. He has the ability to play as a left-back, center-back, or even as a defensive midfielder. His speed, agility, and defensive skills make him a reliable defender for any team.
Calafiori’s international career is still in its early stages, but he has already shown great potential. He will be looking to establish himself as a regular member of the Italy national team and help them achieve success in major tournaments.
Off the Field
Personal Life
Riccardo Calafiori keeps his personal life private and doesn’t share much about it on social media. However, he is known to be close with his family and often shares pictures with them. He also enjoys spending time with his friends and teammates.
Charity Work
Calafiori has been involved in various charity events over the years. In 2021, he participated in a charity match organized by AS Roma to raise funds for the fight against COVID-19. He also donated a signed jersey to a charity auction to raise funds for the Italian Red Cross.
In addition to his charity work, Calafiori is also an ambassador for the “Together for Children” project, which aims to support children in need around the world. He has spoken out about the importance of education and the role it plays in improving children’s lives.
Overall, Calafiori is a private person who prefers to keep his personal life out of the public eye. However, he is known for his charitable works and his dedication to helping those in need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Riccardo Calafiori’s primary position on the field?
Riccardo Calafiori is primarily a left-back, known for his attacking prowess and defensive abilities. He is also capable of playing as a left-sided center-back when required.
How has Riccardo Calafiori’s style of play evolved over his career?
Riccardo Calafiori’s style of play has evolved significantly over his career. He started as an attacking full-back, but as he gained more experience, he improved his defensive skills and became more disciplined in his positioning. He is now known for his ability to make overlapping runs, deliver dangerous crosses, and make crucial tackles in defense.
What are the latest updates on Riccardo Calafiori’s transfer status?
As of the current date, there are no confirmed reports of Riccardo Calafiori’s transfer to any other club. However, he has been linked with several top European clubs, including Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
How tall is Riccardo Calafiori and does his height influence his gameplay?
Riccardo Calafiori is 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall, which is considered an average height for a football player. While his height does not significantly influence his gameplay, he uses his physicality to his advantage in aerial duels and when defending against taller opponents.
At what age did Riccardo Calafiori start his professional football career?
Riccardo Calafiori started his professional football career at the age of 17, when he signed his first contract with AS Roma in 2018.
Where can I find detailed statistics about Riccardo Calafiori’s performances?
Detailed statistics about Riccardo Calafiori’s performances can be found on various websites, including FBRef and Transfermarkt. These websites provide comprehensive data on his goals, assists, appearances, and other performance metrics.
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