This biography will bring you the necessary detailed information about Riccardo Calafiori revealing out all you need to know about this fast rising football star and answering some of the questions which are frequently asked about him.
Who is Riccardo Calafiori?
Born in Italy’s capital city, Calafiori is a professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Italy national team and Arsenal football club.
Riccardo Calafiori joined Roma Youth at age of eight and rapidly rose through the Youth system and it didn’t take him long to make a breakthrough to the senior as at age of 16 he had already earned himself his first professional contract with the club and was included to the first team.
Despite being one of the best academy prospect produced by Roma Academy, the teenager was unable to establish himself under Jose Mourinho and he was sent to Genoa on loan before he was sold to FC Basel in Switzerland. At Basel, he was deployed as a left back and in the mid season under the appointment of Heiko Vogel, he was deployed back to his natural position in which he shinned earning a move back to Serie A with Bologna in a €4million deal in 2023 summer.
Riccardo Calafiori joined Arsenal in 2024 summer from Bologna.
Player Wiki Data.
| Full name | Riccardo Calafiori |
| Date of birth Place of birth | 19 June 2002 Rome, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Height | 1.87 m |
| Current club Position | Arsenal Centre back |
| Current market value | €45 million |
| Net worth | Est. £3 million |
| Team information | Roma Genoa – loan FC Basel Bologna |
Riccardo Calafiori biography.
Now at age of 22 years, Riccardo Calafiori was born on 19 June 2002 to his Italian parents in Rome, Italy.
Sadly there’s no reliable information recorded regarding his family background, parents and siblings but we will keep on updating this article to keep providing you with the latest information.
What is his Nationality?
Born in the Capital of Italy by Italian parents he holds Italian citizenship.
His Height and Weight ?
He stands at a height of 1.87 metres tall or 6 feet and 2 inches. He has a weight of 78Kgs.
His Religion ?
The electric center back upholds Christianity as his religion of faith.
Net worth
As of 2024, Riccardo Calafiori net worth is estimated to be £3 million his earnings mainly coming from contract salaries, sponsorship deals and endorsement.
Riccardo Calafiori Girlfriend ?
For this Italian defender, there exists a glamorous woman whom he dearly loves and her name is Maris Racal.
His preferred foot and playing position ?
His preferred or strong foot is left foot. The defender’s natural position is centre back but he can also be deployed as a left back.
Career Timeline.
Riccardo Calafiori started his football journey at Petriana, a local football club in Rome his birth town where he spent two years before moving to Roma Academy in 2010 at age of eight.
The defender progressed rapidly in Roma’s Youth ranks and earned himself a professional contract at just sixteen years of age on 16 June 2018.
A career ending injury.
On 2 October 2018, Riccardo Calafiori suffered a near career ending injury to his knee in a UEFA Youth match against Viktoria Plzen in the 82nd minute when Vaclav Svoboda made a dangerous challenge on him. This made him suffer ruptured ligaments all of his knee and a meniscus tear.
The teenager was sidelined for almost a year and early 2019-20 season he returned in action for the Roma Youth.
His Debut ?
After returning in action in the 2019-20 season, Calafiori made his professional debut on 1 August 2020 against Juventus in which Roma won 3-1 and during the match he won a penalty which was successfully converted. The following season on 3 December 2020 he scored his first professional goal after coming on as a substitute against Young Boys in a UEFA Europa League match in which Roma won.
After the arrival of Jose Mourinho as Roma new head coach, Riccardo Calafiori failed to establish himself and he was loaned to Genoa on 14 January 2022 before being sold to Basel on 30 August 2022.
Basel
Swiss top tier club Basel announced the signing of Riccardo Calafiori on 30 August 2022 on a permanent deal and the player signed a three year contract. He made his debut on 9 October 2022. Calafiori played as a left back under Alexander Frei in the 2022-23 season and in the mid season after the appointment of Heiko Vogel he was deployed back to center back, his natural position where he shinned and earned himself a return to Serie A.
Bologna
Bologna signed Calafiori on a permanent deal worth €4 million on 31 August 2023. He made his debut at the beginning of 2023-24 season campaign and on 20 May 2024 he scored his first goal with the club after he netted a brace against Juventus a match which ended a 3-3 draw. Under Thiago Motta as the head coach, Calafiori thrived as he emerged as one of the best defenders in the league and he helped Bologna qualify for the UEFA Champions League after being out since the 1964-65 season.
Arsenal
Arsenal completed the signing of Calafiori on 23 July 2024 for a fee of €40M plus €5M add-ons and the player signed a five year contract. He made his debut on against Aston Villa on 24 August. He scored his first goal for the club on 22 September 2024 in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City.
International Career.
Calafiori has been in the Italy national team Youth set up since 2017 when he first played for the U-15. He made his Italy U-21 debut on 3 September 2021 against Luxembourg coming on as a substitute which Italy won 3-0.
He received his first senior national team call up on 23 May 2024 under Luciano Spalletti and debuted on June 4 as a substitute in a friendly match against Turkey which ended 0-0 draw. He was included to the Italy squad for the Euro 2024 and made his first competitive appearance against Albania in a group stage match on 15 June which Italy won. He provided his first assist for the national team against Croatia in a stoppage time equaliser which sent Italy to the knockout stages.
How good is Calafiori?
His technique and vision allowed him to thrive in the 2023-24 season under Thiago Motta. Due to him playing as left back, this makes him able to move with the ball forward while playing as a centre back.
He is capable of playing in a back three or back four system due to his anticipation and aggressiveness which he uses to put pressure on opponents to make ball interceptions and recover lost balls. Standing at a height of 1.87 metres, this makes him an aerial threat as he challenges for set peice and corner balls. When deployed as a left back he is able to carry the ball during attacks and assist the forwards by providing crosses.
In 2019 he was included in The Guardian’s Next Generation list of top 60 best young talents and later in 2021 he was named in UEFA’s “50 for the future”
Honours
Serie A Player of the Month : May 2024.
Social media handle
Instagram: @richycala
ALSO READ ON:Joshua Zirkzee bio: Age,Family,Siblings,GF,stats,Salary,Net worth.
