Very few footballing nations can claim a defensive lineage as rich as Italys.
From Paolo Maldinis elegance to Fabio Cannavaros grit to Franco Baresis authority, Italian defending has long been an art form.
Now, a new name is beginning to echo through the corridors of calcio tradition.
That name is Parmas 18-year-old sensation: Giovanni Leoni.
Though Giovanni Leoni is still a teenager, the Parma defender is already regarded as one of the most gifted defenders in Serie A.
Thats why there is currently an enormous continental scramble for Leonis signature, for a reported fee of €40m, including the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona, Inter Milan and AC Milan.
The interest from these giants isnt new; Leoni has been on the radar of Europes elite well before shining in Serie A last season under Cristian Chivu.
In the 2022/2023 season, Leoni was the youngest professional footballer in Italy at the time, having debuted for Padova in Serie C at the age of just 16 years and 3 months.
The Rome-born defender then got his big move to Sampdoria last year when the €1.5m option in his loan contract was exercised; however, he was immediately sold to then-newly promoted Parma.
This player analysis and scout report will examine the Giovanni Leoni style of play, his technical and physical profile, and his potential role within Carlos Cuestas tactical setup at Parma during the 2025/2026 season and beyond.
Giovanni Leoni Stats
Giovanni Leoni’s data paints the picture of a very composed and physically dominant central defender whose standout qualities include his anticipation, ball-playing ability, and calmness under pressure.
He consistently impacts the game from central defence, whether thats stepping out to intercept passes, initiating build-up play with line-breaking balls, or showing real maturity and dominance in one-on-one defensive duels.
Statistically, Leoni is beyond effective out of possession: he ranks very highly for duel success and interceptions, highlighting this ability to consistently read the game and break up opposition attacks at an incredibly high level.
In his five starts in the qualification stage of the U19 European Championships, Leoni averaged 7.44 contested duels per 90, winning a sensational 78% of those.
Leoni consistently comes out on top in challenges, which speaks to his freakish strength (relative to his age-mates), timing, and ability to read the game well beyond his years; the Parma defender makes strikers think twice before taking him on.
It certainly isnt just at youth level where Giovanni Leoni stands out from the crowd in the world of centre-backs.
Most notably, in Parmas 1-0 home win over Juventus back in April, Leoni was utterly dominant, winning all four of his ground duels and three of his four battles in the air.
Giovanni Leoni Pizza Chart 2024/2025
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As you can see in the pizza chart, Giovanni Leonis defensive data was very impressive for an 18-year-old novice in his first-ever season of top-flight football.
Leoni ranked in the 84th percentile for aerial duels win percentage last season, an astonishing rate for a youngster that highlights his dominance in the air.
That makes him one of the best aerial defenders in Europe, and he doesnt turn 1