Giovanni Leoni: Admired by Italian Legends From a Young Age | OneFootball

Giovanni Leoni: Admired by Italian Legends From a Young Age | OneFootball

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·16 août 2025

Giovanni Leoni: Admired by Italian Legends From a Young Age

Image de l'article :Giovanni Leoni: Admired by Italian Legends From a Young Age

A Record-Breaker in Italy

At just 16 years and three months, Giovanni Leoni stepped into the world of men’s football with Padova in Serie C, making history in March 2023 against UC AlbinoLeffe. That appearance crowned him the youngest debutant across all professional Italian leagues during the 2022-23 campaign. His progression from the Padova academy was rapid, and by February 2024 he had climbed a division, signing with UC Sampdoria.

Parma’s Youngest Defender Goalscorer

Leoni’s rise didn’t stop there. Twelve appearances for Sampdoria in Serie B showcased his composure and intelligence, enough for Parma to secure his signature ahead of their Serie A return in 2024-25. Just six matches into life at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, he wrote himself into the record books once more. Aged 18 years and 50 days, Leoni headed home against Cagliari to become Parma’s youngest ever defender to score in Serie A.


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Image de l'article :Giovanni Leoni: Admired by Italian Legends From a Young Age

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Style of Play: Intelligent, Assured, and Commanding

Standing at 1.95m (6ft4in), Leoni’s physical presence is undeniable. Last season he won 60.6 per cent of his total duels and 63 per cent in the air. But numbers alone don’t capture his footballing intelligence. His passing accuracy stood at an impressive 88.7 per cent, completing 619 passes – 535 of them short, 180 played forward – underlining his composure in possession.

Roberto Baronio, assistant coach during his Sampdoria days, praised his tactical awareness:

“He’s a very smart guy. When you have above-average intelligence, you can go further. He reads the opponent’s intentions. These are tricks and subtleties usually seen in experienced players, but Leoni already has them.”

Admired by Italian Legends

Few players earn praise from the greats so early in their careers. Andrea Pirlo, who coached Leoni at Sampdoria, insisted:

“We’re dealing with a fantastic lad. I was sure he would make it to Serie A. He deserves it.”

Two-time European Cup-winning coach Arrigo Sacchi echoed that sentiment, reminding observers to grant Leoni the freedom to make youthful mistakes, while hailing his toughness, humility, and hard-working nature.

Liverpool’s Italian Connection Strengthens

Now at Anfield, Leoni becomes only the eighth Italian-born player to wear Liverpool red, joining a list that includes Fabio Borini, Alberto Aquilani, Andrea Dossena, Mario Balotelli, Daniele Padelli, Thiago Alcântara and Federico Chiesa. Known affectionately in Padua as “leoncino” – the little lion – his surname translates to “lions”, a fitting symbol for his bold, fearless rise.

Leoni has never hidden his admiration for Virgil van Dijk, revealing as a teenager that the Liverpool captain was his footballing inspiration. Now, he will learn directly from his idol at Anfield, with his development set against the backdrop of the Premier League he has followed obsessively since childhood.

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