SAMUELE RICCI: FOCUS AND FUN FACTS | OneFootball

A career on a constant upward trajectory now faces its maturity test. Samuele Ricci has made fast yet steady progress, growing step by step as a player and establishing himself as an important team figure. AC Milan's new midfielder, who has become the Rossoneri's first signing of the summer, arrives with plenty of experience despite his young age. He will only turn 24 on 21 August, suggesting his best moments are still to come.

After initial experiences near his hometown of Pontedera, Samuele's football development took a decisive turn when, at the age of ten, he became part of Empoli's youth setup. He quickly stood out as a promising prospect, so much so he began representing Italy at youth level. His definitive step-up to first-team football came in the 2019/20 season, partly to strengthen a midfield depleted by the departures of two familiar faces to our fans, namely Ismaël Bennacer and Rade Krunić. His impact was immediate and positive as he became one of the most utilised players in the Tuscan side's squad.

His first season was good, and his second even better: Alessio Dionisi predominantly chose him as a mezzala in the team that brilliantly secured promotion back to the top flight. On a personal level, Ricci also won the Manlio Scopigno Award as the best player of the Serie B season. His Serie A debut came on 21 August 2021, his 20th birthday, and then he scored his first top-flight goal in a 4-2 victory over Bologna just over a month later. However, the time was ripe for a change of scenery: in the final stages of the winter transfer window, Torino came calling.

After a six-month bedding-in period (where he, nevertheless, still featured for the Granata), Samuele became a key figure in Jurić's midfield from the 2022/23 season onwards. These were important months for him, as he also earned call-ups to Italy's senior side, making his debut on 4 June 2022 against Germany in the Nations League. He thus completed an international journey that had seen him reach a European Championship final with the U17s and participate in two Euro tournaments with the U21s in 2021 and 2023. At club level, Ricci's importance grew steadily, culminating in his appointment as captain of Torino in the season just gone.

What immediately catches the eye when watching Ricci play is his elegance on the ball and the way he moves through the spaces. Over his career, he has operated both as a deep-lying playmaker and as a mezzala. In recent seasons, he has also shown growth in his attacking game, even if this improvement hasn't yet translated into better numbers. Samuele is a solid player who, in the past season, stood out for his ability to retain possession under pressure as well as for his skill in finding space through his movement.

Looking at his career, it becomes clear that he is an athlete who works on his weaknesses to refine them and simultaneously transform them into strengths. His coaches (at Empoli and Torino, and at international level) have always been huge admirers of him, a young man also noted for his values and interests. Off the pitch, he shares a strong bond with his sister, Sara, his mother, Laura, and his father, Alessandro. In honour of the latter, he has always worn the number 28 shirt as a tribute to his birthday. He studies Business Economics, and his interests range from cinema to music (he plays the guitar) and fashion. Notably, he has a passion for Africa, a frequent destination for his summer travels; he has been to Namibia, Kenya, Madagascar and Uganda. A fine sporting and human profile, now ready to prove himself with the Rossoneri.

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