Nicolò_Barella

Nicolò Barella

Nicolò Barella

Italian football player (born 1997)

Nicolò Barella Cavaliere OMRI (born 7 February 1997) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Serie A club Inter Milan and the Italy national team.[4] Known for his technical ability, work rate, and creativity, he is often recognised as one of the best midfielders in the world.[5][6][7][8]

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...

Club career

Cagliari and short spell in Como

Born in Cagliari, Barella is a youth exponent from Cagliari Calcio.[9][10] He made his first appearance on 15 January 2015, playing against Parma at the Tardini in the Coppa Italia, which resulted in a 2–1 loss.[10] His debut in Serie A came on 4 May 2015 again against Parma, replacing Diego Farias after 68 minutes in a 4–0 home win.[11][10]

In January 2016, he was sent on loan to Como in Serie B, where he played as a first-choice for the second part of the season.[12][13]

On 17 September 2017, after having returned to Cagliari, he scored his first professional and Serie A goal against SPAL in a 2–0 home win.[14] Three months later, he became the youngest captain ever in the history of Cagliari, at the age of 20 years, 10 months, and 9 days.[10][15]

On 24 February 2019, in the match against Sampdoria, which was lost 1–0, he reached 100 appearances with the Cagliari jersey at the age of 22.[16] At the end of the season, Barella is the player with the highest number of balls recovered (253) in the 2018–19 Serie A,[9] also winning the Premio Bulgarelli Number 8 for the best midfielder of the season and being included for the first time in the Serie A Team of the Year.[17][18]

Inter Milan

On 12 July 2019, Barella joined Inter Milan on a year-long loan deal with an obligation to buy with four-year contract to take effect after the loan period.[19] He made his club debut on 26 August against Lecce; he came off the bench in the second half for Matías Vecino, and later helped set-up Antonio Candreva's goal in an eventual 4–0 home win in Inter's opening match of the 2019–20 Serie A season.[20] He made his Champions League debut on 17 September against Slavia Prague; after coming off the bench for Marcelo Brozović in the second half, he scored an injury-time equalising goal to help Inter to a 1–1 home draw, which was his first goal both in the competition and for Inter.[21] On 9 November, he scored his first league goal for the club as Inter came from behind to achieve a 2–1 home win over Verona.[22] He scored his first goal in the Coppa Italia on 29 January 2020, in 2–1 home win over Fiorentina, in the quarter-finals of the tournament.[23] With the team, he reached the 2020 UEFA Europa League final, where they lost to Sevilla.[4] At the end of the season, he was included in the Serie A Team of the Year and the UEFA Europa League Squad of the season.[24][25]

On 17 January 2021, Barella assisted for the first goal for Arturo Vidal and scored a vital second in a 2–0 home win against rivals and defending champions Juventus in Serie A.[26] At the end of the 2020–21 Serie A season, he won the Scudetto and was elected Best Midfielder by Lega Serie A as well as included (for the third edition in a row) in the 2020–21 Serie A Team of the Year.[27][28]

On 5 November 2021, Barella signed a contract extension with Inter, keeping him at the club until 2026.[29] At the end of the 2021–22 season, after having won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana,[30][31] Barella (and his teammate Hakan Çalhanoğlu) totalled 12 assists, which is the highest number for an Inter player since Opta Sports started collecting such data in 2004–05.[32] At the end of the season, he was included in the 2021–22 Serie A Team of the Year for the fourth year in a row.[33]

Barella (right) with Internazionale in 2023

In the 2022–23 season, Barella won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana with Inter again.[34][35] In the Coppa Italia final, he assisted Lautaro Martinez for the second Nerazzurri's goal.[34] He was awarded the Best Midfielder title again by Lega Serie A and included in the Serie A Team of the Year for the fifth year in a row.[36][37] In the Champions League, Barella reached the final with Inter, which was the first time the club had reached the final in 13 years.[38] He received the Player of the Match award during the tournament for his outstanding performance in the 3-3 draw against Barcelona in the group stage, in which he scored the opening goal.[39]

International career

With the Italy U19 team, Barella took part at the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, finishing in second place.

With the Italy U20 he took part at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, finishing in third place.

Barella made his debut with the Italy U21 team on 1 September 2017, in a 3–0 friendly defeat against Spain.

Barella was called up to the senior Italy squad by manager Gian Piero Ventura for the team's 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Albania in October 2017.[40] He made his debut for the Italy senior side on 10 October 2018, under manager Roberto Mancini, in a 1–1 friendly draw against Ukraine in Genoa.[41] On 23 March 2019, Barella scored his first goal for Italy in a 2–0 home win over Finland in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying match.[42]

He took part with the U21 side in the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[43]

In June 2021, he was included in Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2020.[44] In Italy's second group match on 16 June, he set up Manuel Locatelli second goal in an eventual 3–0 win over Switzerland, which allowed Italy to advance to the round of 16.[45] On 2 July, he scored Italy's opening goal of the match, and later assisted Lorenzo Insigne's goal, in a 2–1 win over Belgium in the quarter-finals of the competition.[46] On 11 July, Barella won the European Championship with Italy following a 3–2 penalty shoot-out victory over England at Wembley Stadium in the final, after a 1–1 draw in extra-time; Barella started the match, but was substituted by Bryan Cristante in the second half of regulation time.[47]

On 10 October 2021, Barella scored the opening goal in a 2–1 home win over Belgium in the bronze medal match of the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League.[48]

On 24 March 2024, Barella was given the captain’s armband for the first time in a 2–0 win friendly against Ecuador, in which he also scored the second goal.[6][8]

Style of play

Barella is considered a talented midfielder in the European sports media.[49] He was named the best young Italian player born in 1997 for two consecutive years between 2012 and 2013.[50][51] Italian football journalist Mina Rzouki described him as an intelligent, promising, and composed midfielder, despite his young age, with a wide range of skills. She also commented that Barella "...can dribble through a defence, score volleys and start counter-attacks. He knows how to find the right passes and is box-to-box. Most importantly he can win back possession quickly and recover the ball." Barella's performances have also been praised by Italian former footballers Andrea Pirlo and Alessandro Del Piero.[49] The Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport has compared him to Steven Gerrard, describing him as a dynamic player with good technique, vision, stamina, and physical strength, despite his relatively short stature, as well as an ability to win balls, which enables him to break down possession and subsequently start quick attacking plays. A versatile player, he is capable of playing anywhere in midfield, and has even been used as an attacking midfielder or as a defensive midfielder, but his favoured role is as a right-sided, offensive-minded central midfielder, known as a "mezzala" in Italy. Known for his eye for goal, he possesses a good shot from outside the area, and is known for his ability to make late attacking runs from behind into the penalty area. He is also an accurate set piece and penalty taker. He is known for his strong character, leadership qualities, competitive spirit, and winning mentality, but has also drawn criticism at times in the press for protesting or arguing excessively with officials during matches.[52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] His Italy teammate Jorginho has likened him to N'Golo Kanté.[60]

Personal life

Barella married Federica Schievenin in 2018, and they have since become parents to three daughters.[61]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 14 April 2024[4]
More information Club, Season ...
  1. Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, six appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. Appearance(s) in Supercoppa Italiana

International

As of match played 24 March 2024[62]
More information National team, Year ...
Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Barella goal.[62]
More information No., Date ...

Honours

Inter Milan

Italy U19

Italy U20

Italy

Individual

Orders

References

  1. [1]
    "Comunicato Ufficiale N. 126" [Official Statement No. 126] (PDF) (in Italian). Lega Serie A. 27 December 2017. p. 2. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  2. [2]
    "Nicolò Barella: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  3. [3]
    "Nicolò Barella". Inter Milan. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  4. [4]
    "Italy – N. Barella". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  5. [5]
    Lane, Barnaby. "The 10 best midfielders in world soccer right now". Insider. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  6. [6]
    "FC 100 best men's soccer attacking midfielders, 2022-23". ESPN. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  7. [7]
    Ajith, Shambhu (12 June 2023). "10 best midfielders in the world this season (2022-23)". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  8. [8]
    Campadale, Susy (28 February 2021). "Capello: 'Barella in top three midfielders'". Football Italia. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  9. [9]
    Angioni, Carlo (5 June 2019). "Barella ha scelto. Da Riva a LeBron, ecco chi è il jolly che vuole Conte". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  10. [10]
    "Happy 25th birthday to Nicolò Barella!". FIGC.it. 7 February 2022.
  11. [11]
    "Cagliari vs. Parma – 4 May 2015 – Soccerway". soccerway.com. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  12. [12]
    "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Players - Nicolo BARELLA". Archived from the original on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  13. [13]
    "Nicolò Barella - national football team player". Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  14. [14]
    "Spal-Cagliari 0-2: decidono Barella e Joao Pedro". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 17 September 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  15. [15]
    Zara, Furio (6 January 2019). "Barella, tamburo sardo a colpi di tackle". Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  16. [16]
    "Altro record per Barella. Tocca le 100 presenze in rossoblù". L'Unione Sarda (in Italian). 25 February 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  17. [17]
    "Inter package deal for Barella?". Football Italia. 29 May 2019. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  18. [18]
    "Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners". Football Italia. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  19. [19]
    "Nicolò Barella is an Inter player!" (Press release). Inter Milan. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  20. [20]
    Cotugno, Vladimiro (26 August 2019). "Inter-Lecce 4-0: Brozovic, Sensi, Lukaku e Candreva, quanti sorrisi per Conte". Il Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  21. [21]
    "Inter Milan 1–1 Slavia Prague". BBC Sport. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  22. [22]
    "Inter fights back to beat Verona and move top of Serie A". Sportsnet. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  23. [23]
    "Inter Milan 2–1 Fiorentina". BBC Sport. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  24. [24]
    "Gran Galà del Calcio: The winners". Football Italia. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  25. [25]
    "UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  26. [26]
    "INTER STATS Vidal's goal, Barella the all-rounder and Bastoni's long ball..." Inter Official Site. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  27. [27]
    "Lukaku, Ronaldo and Conte win Serie A awards for 2020-21". Football Italia. 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  28. [28]
    "The MVPs of the 2020/2021 Season: Nicolò Barella Best Midfielder". Serie A. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  29. [29]
    "NICOLO BARELLA EXTENDS INTER STAY TILL 2026". Internazionale Milano. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  30. [30]
    "Juventus 2-4 Inter: Ivan Persic strikes twice in extra time as Inter win Coppa Italia in thrilling Derby d'Italia final". Eurosport. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  31. [31]
    "Alexis-gol al 121': delirio Inter, la Supercoppa è nerazzurra!" (in Italian). Inter Milan. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  32. [32]
    "Inter Stats. The figures behind the last win of the season". Inter Official Site. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  33. [33]
    "Milan pigliatutto, premiati Pioli, Maldini e 4 giocatori. Leao il migliore: "Qui sono maturato"". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  34. [34]
    Mackenzie, Alasdair (24 May 2023). "Fiorentina 1-2 Inter Milan - Lautaro Martinez scores double as the Nerazzurri defend Coppa Italia". Eurosport. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  35. [35]
    "AC Milan 0-3 Inter Milan: Simone Inzaghi's side ease to Supercoppa win over rivals to defend title". Eurosport. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  36. [36]
    "The MPSs of the Serie A 2022/2023". Serie A. 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  37. [37]
    "Gran Galà del Calcio: tutti i vincitori della serata LIVE". Sky Sport (in Italian). 4 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  38. [38]
    Poole, Harry (16 May 2023). "Inter reach first Champions League final since 2010". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  39. [39]
    "Nicolo Barella Named As Inter Milan's MOTM In 3-3 Champions League Draw With Benfica". OneFootball. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  40. [40]
    "Barella and Inglese called up by Italy". Football Italia. London: Tiro Media. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  41. [41]
    "Italy: Azzurri held by Ukraine". Football Italia. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  42. [42]
    "Italy: Kean and Barella take down Finland". Football Italia. 23 March 2019.
  43. [43]
    "Parte l'avventura europea: Di Biagio ufficializza la lista dei 23 Azzurrini" [The European adventure begins: Di Biagio officialises the list of 23 players]. figc.it (in Italian). Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  44. [44]
    "Mancini names uncapped striker Raspadori in final Italy Euro 2020 squad". Reuters. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  45. [45]
    "Italy beat Switzerland to reach last 16". BBC Sport. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  46. [46]
    Begley, Emlyn (2 July 2021). "Italy edge Belgium to set up Spain semi". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  47. [47]
    McNulty, Phil (11 July 2021). "England lose shootout in Euro 2020 final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  48. [48]
    "Nations League - Italy 2-1 Belgium: Azzurri take bronze medal". Football Italia. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  49. [49]
    "Nicolo Barella: The Cagliari midfielder lauded by Andrea Pirlo". BBC Sport. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  50. [50]
    Giampaolo Gaias (31 October 2012). "Nicolò Barella miglior centrocampista d'Italia classe 97" (in Italian). www.tuttocagliari.net. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  51. [51]
    "La Giovane Italia, premiati i talenti del futuro. I VIDEO" (in Italian). sport.sky.it. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  52. [52]
    La Giovane Italia (8 May 2015). "Cagliari, dopo Zola anche Festa lancia Barella, lo Steven Gerrard sardo" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  53. [53]
    Giacomo Brunetti (4 September 2018). "Italia, Barella: 'Sono una mezzala e non mi sento un leader. Lasciare il Cagliari? Sono arrivate offerte, ma...'" (in Italian). www.calciomercato.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  54. [54]
    Michele Pavese (16 September 2018). "È nata una stella: Barella è pronto per il grande salto" (in Italian). www.tuttomercatoweb.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  55. [55]
    Lorenzo Marucci (7 September 2018). "La nuova Italia - Barella, la carica della Sardegna per l'Italia" (in Italian). www.tuttomercatoweb.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  56. [56]
    Fabio Massimo Splendore (6 May 2018). "Barella, uno da Roma. E con lo stesso manager di Nainggolan" (in Italian). Il Corriere dello Sport. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  57. [57]
    Roberto Pinna (19 September 2017). "Fantacalcio, Cagliari: Barella ora è anche Magic" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  58. [58]
    "Italia, Barella: "In Nazionale non sento particolari pressioni. Cagliari? Ho scelto io di restare"" (in Italian). sport.sky.it. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  59. [59]
    "Cagliari, Barella e i grandi sardi dello sport: "Voglio essere come Zola, Aru e Datome"" (in Italian). sport.sky.it. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  60. [60]
    Marzio, Gianluca Di (13 June 2021). "Jorginho: "Questa Italia somiglia al mio Chelsea. Barella come Kanté"" (in Italian). Gianluca Di Marzio. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  61. [61]
    Zucchelli, Chiara (3 July 2021). "Nel mondo di Barella: il cane Lebron, i vini e quattro donne che gli hanno stravolto la vita". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  62. [62]
    "Barella, Nicolò" (in Italian). FIGC. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  63. [63]
    "Inter end Juventus' Serie A dominance with first title in 11 years". ESPN. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  64. [64]
    "Inter Milan get second star, seal 20th scudetto by winning Derby della Madonnina". NBC Sports. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  65. [65]
    "L'Inter vince la EA Sports FC Supercup!" (in Italian). Lega Serie A. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  66. [66]
    McNulty, Phil (10 June 2023). "Man City beat Inter Milan 1–0 in Champions League final to claim Treble". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  67. [67]
    "France cruise past Italy to win European Under-19 final". ESPN. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  68. [68]
    "Verso il Mondiale. Ufficializzati i nomi dei 21 Azzurrini, domenica sera raduno a Roma" (in Italian). FIGC. 11 May 2017. Archived from the original on 19 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  69. [69]
    "Italy 2-1 Belgium: Azzurri secure third place at Nations League finals". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  70. [70]
    "Netherlands 2-3 Italy: Azzurri claim third place with thrilling win". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  71. [71]
    "La liste complète des nommés pour le Ballon d'Or 2021" [The full list of nominees for the 2021 Ballon d'Or] (in French). L'Équipe. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  72. [72]
    "Ballon d'Or 2023: la liste complète des nommés" [Ballon d'Or 2023: the complete list of nominees]. L'Équipe (in French). 6 September 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  73. [73]
    "EA Sports™ FIFA 23 Serie A Team of the Season". Serie A. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  74. [74]
    "Gazzetta Awards, tutti i premiati: da Bebe Vio a Conte, re e regine del 2021". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 14 December 2021.
  75. [75]
    "Tra i premiati Barella e Mancini: Premio Prisco consegnato a Chieti. Tra i premiati Barella e Mancini" (in Italian). 21 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  76. [76]
    "Mattarella ha conferito onorificenze motu proprio ai giocatori e allo staff della Nazionale vincitrice del campionato europeo" (in Italian). quirinale.it. 16 July 2021.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nicolò Barella.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Nicolò_Barella, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.