Alessio Romagnoli

Alessio Romagnoli closed one chapter of his career in the most emotional way possible: after helping Lazio finish second in Serie A during the 2022/23 season, the lifelong Biancocelesti supporter eventually completed a deadline-day move to Qatari champions Al Sadd in 2025, admitting he had always hoped to end his career in Rome. His departure marked the end of an era for a defender who had chosen heart over more lucrative offers when he joined Lazio as a free agent in the summer of 2022.

Born on 12 January 1995, Romagnoli came through Roma’s youth academy and was promoted to the first team by coach Zdeněk Zeman at just 17. He debuted in the Coppa Italia against Atalanta on 11 December 2012, made his Serie A bow twelve days later, and scored his first Serie A goal against Genoa in March 2013. After a productive 2014/15 loan at Sampdoria, where he scored against Chievo, Milan signed him for €25 million in August 2015.

At AC Milan, Romagnoli matured into one of Serie A’s most reliable centre-backs. Ahead of the 2018–19 season, following Leonardo Bonucci’s departure, he was handed the captain’s armband at just 23. Internationally, he progressed through Italy’s under-16, under-17, under-19 and under-21 sides, featuring at the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship alongside Daniele Rugani. He earned his first senior call-up in August 2016 and debuted in 2018 World Cup qualification against Spain, later scoring his first international goal in a 5–0 win over Liechtenstein in October 2019 during Euro 2020 qualifying.

Now plying his trade with Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League, Romagnoli brings leadership forged through over a decade at Italian football’s highest level — from Roma to Milan to Lazio — and a determination to add silverware abroad.