The 5️⃣ breakthrough stars of the Serie A season 🇮🇹 | OneFootball

The 2025–2026 Serie A season has delivered its verdict. Time to take stock!

Beyond the stars who have been shining for several seasons, this vintage will be remembered for the emergence of several talents.

From the pitches of Como to the goalmouth of Udine, certain players shook up the pecking order to earn themselves a place in the spotlight of Italian football.

Here are the 5 biggest breakout stars who lit up Italy this season.

We chose players who had not yet performed in Serie A or who reached another level over the course of the season.

Tasos Douvikas – Como

Arriving quietly in Cesc Fàbregas’ crazy project at Como, Tasos Douvikas was simply monstrous.

Quiet in open play but clinically efficient in front of goal, he played all 38 league matches to guide the promoted side to 4th place and qualification for the Champions League. 

His record? 14 goals in 38 matches and a share of second place in the Serie A scoring charts.

Francesco Pio Esposito – Inter Milan

In an Inter squad built to steamroll everything with Lautaro and Thuram, the young Italian striker developed by the club took advantage of his openings to make a name for himself.

Used 35 times by his coach, often off the bench, “Pio” Esposito stood out for his maturity and his crucial goals in the final sprint.

No one expected the 20-year-old striker to perform at this level so soon for the champions. The very definition of a homegrown revelation.

Marco Palestra – Cagliari

Arriving in Sardinia to get more playing time, the 21-year-old right wing-back simply produced a sensational season.

Used 34 times down Cagliari’s right flank, Marco Palestra caught the eye with his endless energy, tactical discipline, and ability to keep going from the first minute to the last.

His standout performances in the relegation battle did not go unnoticed by observers.

The young Italian even had the luxury of being named defender of the season.

Rasmus Højlund – Napoli

A revelation in the form of a rebirth.

After a disastrous spell at Manchester United, the Dane rediscovered his best level.

Transformed in Antonio Conte’s system, Højlund tormented plenty of Serie A defenses.

With an excellent return of 12 goals and 5 assists in 33 matches, he became the new darling of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Powerful, clinical, and incredibly selfless, he was one of the main architects of the Partenopei’s second-place finish.

Maduka Okoye – Udinese

Well known on Italian pitches since 2024, this season marks a radical turning point: maturity.

Gone is the status of backup or goalkeeper merely fighting relegation — Maduka Okoye has taken a major step forward to settle comfortably among the top 5 best in Serie A.

The 26-year-old keeper truly stood out, racking up 112 decisive saves.

Imperious in crunch time and dominant in the air, the Udinese giant is now establishing himself as one of the benchmark goalkeepers on the other side of the Alps.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

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