Nicolò Zaniolo - AS Roma's Wonderkid

Nicolò Zaniolo made his debut for Virtus Entella in Serie B two and a half years ago. He had been released by Fiorentina the year before as a 16-year-old and knew he had to pursue other opportunities in the game. Some players would have fallen down the league pyramid or given up on football altogether, but Zaniolo rolled up his socks and started a journey that has taken him to the very top.

After spending a season at Inter, where he was named their academy player of the year, Zaniolo signed for Roma in June 2018. He played his first game for the club exactly a year ago – away at Real Madrid in the Champions League – and has not looked back. Zaniolo is now a regular at the heart of the Roma midfield and his goals were instrumental in the club’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals last season. To crown it all, he is now an Italy international. Zaniolo is a man on the up.