Nicolò Zaniolo is an Italian professional footballer. He is famous for his versatile role as an attacking midfielder or right winger. Currently, he is best known for playing for the Premier League with his talents while on loan from Süper Lig's Galatasaray at Aston Villa. His football journey has seen him play for Virtus Entella, Inter Milan, and AS Roma. Newcastle's Sandro Tonali and Aston Villa's Nicolo Zaniolo have left Italy's training camp amid an Italian prosecutor's probe, with their "condition" affecting their eligibility for Euro 2024 qualifiers. The investigation's specifics remain undisclosed, but it may involve illegal betting. This coincides with FIGC prosecutors investigating Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli for using various identities in illegal betting activities.
Nicolò Zaniolo, an Italian footballer, excels as an attacking midfielder or right winger, currently showcasing his skills on loan at Aston Villa from Galatasaray in the Premier League. His shirt number is 22 for his current team. Previously, he has played for Virtus Entella, Inter Milan, and Roma.
Nicolò Zaniolo was born on July 2, 1999. He hails from Massa, Italy. He comes from a middle-class family with a mixed Italian heritage, particularly hailing from the Liguria region. He holds Italian nationality. Zaniolo's father, Igor, is a former professional footballer who played as a forward in Serie B and Serie C, while his mother is named Francesca Costa. His passion for football led him to join the Florentina Academy, providing him with the platform to display his budding talent.
Nicolò Zaniolo started his football journey with the Fiorentina youth system. He was released by the club in 2016 and subsequently joined Virtus Entella. In March 2017, at the age of 17, he made his professional debut in Serie B. On 5 July 2017, Inter Milan announced they had signed Zaniolo, for a reported fee of €1.8 million, plus €1.7 million in bonuses. He played for their Primavera side in the 2017-2018 season, where he excelled as the top-scorer of the team.
In June 2018, he moved to AS Roma as part of a deal involving Radja Nainggolan's transfer to Inter. Zaniolo's Serie A debut in 2018 marked the beginning of a breakthrough season, earning him the title of Serie A Young Player of the Year for the 2018-19 season. However, injuries disrupted his progress, including an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2020. Despite facing challenges with fitness and refereeing decisions upon his return, Zaniolo played a crucial role in Roma's victory in the Europa Conference League in 2022.
His journey in the 2022-23 season took a series of twists. After transferring to Galatasaray in Süper Lig on a permanent deal with a €15 million purchase fee, he adopted the number 17 jersey in honor of a young fan who tragically passed away in an earthquake. Zaniolo made a remarkable debut, scoring in both friendly and official matches. He played a pivotal role in Galatasaray's Süper Lig championship, clinching their 23rd title. However, his path diverged in the 2023-24 season as he was loaned to Aston Villa after playing in the Champions League qualifying rounds for Galatasaray. Zaniolo faced controversy when implicated in a gambling scandal, leading to his departure from the Italy national team.
Nicolò Zaniolo's international career has seen him progress through the youth ranks to the senior team. He featured for the Italy under-19 side during the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where Italy reached the final. Zaniolo made his debut for the Italy U21 team in October 2018. His senior international call-up came on September 1, 2018, under manager Roberto Mancini, despite not having received a cap in Serie A.
He made his senior debut on March 23, 2019, during Italy's UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying match against Finland and secured his first start in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Liechtenstein on October 15. Zaniolo's first international goals were scored in a 9-1 victory over Armenia in November 2019. However, his international journey faced a setback when he suffered a second anterior cruciate ligament injury in September 2020 during Italy's UEFA Nations League campaign against the Netherlands.
Roma
Galatasaray
Italy U19
Italy
Individual
Nicolò Zaniolo, who is not married, is currently in a relationship with Romanian model Madalina Ghenea, who is 12 years his senior. Prior to this, he was romantically involved with his charming ex-girlfriend, Sara Scaperrotta, with whom he shares a son named Tommaso, born in 2021.
Nicolò Zaniolo, the professional footballer, has a net worth estimated at €5 million in 2023, and he's currently under contract with Aston Villa in the Premier League with one year remaining and a gross salary of £3,120,000 expiring on June 30, 2024, earning £60,000 per week. His primary source of wealth is his football career, and his market value as of June 8, 2023, is an impressive €27 million. Zaniolo enjoys a comfortable lifestyle and has also been seen endorsing Nike Mercurial Vapor XIII Elite soccer products.
Nicolò Zaniolo is a handsome footballer, who has a standing height of 6 feet 3 inches (1.90 meters) and an athletic body build. He has a body weight of 79 kilograms. His commanding stature, strength, and speed on the field are complemented by his excellent dribbling skills. Zaniolo has brown eyes and brown hair, adding to his overall appeal. With his robust physique and athleticism, he maintains a healthy and fit body. Furthermore, he has also inked tattoos on his hands.
His soccer roots run deep as he was born into a football family; his father, Igor, a former Italian center forward, played for Spice Soccer in 1999 when Nicolo was born. Notably, Igor's contributions were pivotal in elevating the team from C2 Series to Serie C1. Growing up with a football-loving parent like Igor, Nicolo's passion for the sport was nurtured, benefiting from his father's extensive football experience and sociable nature.
Zaniolo's football journey began in the Fiorentina youth system, where his passion for the sport found its earliest expression. Thriving in the academy, he steadily climbed the ranks, culminating in his victory at the National Giovanissimi. However, after over a decade in Fiorentina, the club reluctantly parted ways with him in 2016, attributing their decision to concerns about his physical development.
In addition to his football career, he also embraces the role of a father. His son, Tommaso, was born in 2021, and he shares this precious bond with his former girlfriend, Sara Scaperrotta. This facet of his life adds another layer to the multifaceted personality of the talented Italian footballer, showcasing his responsibilities and experiences beyond the football pitch.
Nicolò Zaniolo is a highly versatile footballer, known for his adaptability and proficiency across various midfield positions. His skill set encompasses creativity, technique, work rate, energy, and physicality, allowing him to excel as an attacking midfielder, an offensive-minded central midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, or even a deep-lying playmaker. This versatility has made him a valuable asset on the field, providing his team with tactical flexibility and multifaceted contributions.