:Alex Meret
{{short description|Italian footballer (born 1997)}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Alex Meret
| image = Alex Meret (cropped).jpg
| caption = Meret in 2017
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|3|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = Udine, Italy{{cite web|url=http://it.eurosport.com/calcio/la-juventus-segue-da-vicino-alex-meret-sara-lui-l-erede-di-buffon_sto5939779/story.shtml|title=La Juventus segue da vicino Alex Meret: sarà lui l'erede di Buffon?|date=5 November 2016 |publisher=Eurosport|language=Italian|access-date=10 March 2017}}
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Napoli
| clubnumber = 1
| youthyears1 = 2007–2012
| youthclubs1 = Donatello Calcio{{cite web|url=http://www.calcionapoli24.it/napoli/alex-meret-portiere-n364495.html|title=Alex Meret(In Italian)|publisher=calcionapoli24|accessdate=6 March 2017}}
| youthyears2 = 2012–2015
| youthclubs2 = Udinese
| years1 = 2015–2018 | clubs1 = Udinese | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2016–2017 | clubs2 = → SPAL (loan) | caps2 = 30 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2017–2018 | clubs3 = → SPAL (loan) | caps3 = 13 | goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2018– | clubs4 = Napoli | caps4 = 160 | goals4 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2012–2013 | nationalteam1 = Italy U16 | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2013–2014 | nationalteam2 = Italy U17 | nationalcaps2 = 13 | nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2014 | nationalteam3 = Italy U18 | nationalcaps3 = 2 | nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2014–2016 | nationalteam4 = Italy U19 | nationalcaps4 = 19 | nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2018–2019 | nationalteam5 = Italy U21 | nationalcaps5 = 5 | nationalgoals5 = 0
| nationalyears6 = 2019– | nationalteam6 = Italy | nationalcaps6 = 3 | nationalgoals6 = 0
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Men's Football}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ITA}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|UEFA European Championship|}}
{{Medal|W|2020 Europe|}}
{{Medal|Comp|UEFA Nations League}}
{{Medal|3rd|2021 Italy|}}
{{Medal|3rd|2023 Netherlands|}}
{{MedalComp|CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions}}
{{Medal|RU|2022 England|}}
{{MedalComp|UEFA European Under-19 Championship}}
{{Medal|RU|2016 Germany|}}
| club-update = 23:16, 27 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 16 November 2022
}}
Alex Meret {{postnominals|post-noms=Cavaliere OMRI}} ({{IPA|it|ˈaːleks meˈrɛt}}; born 22 March 1997) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{Italian football updater|Napoli}} club Napoli and the Italy national team.
Born in Udine, Meret began his career at an early age with amateur club Donatello Calcio before making a switch to the famous Udinese youth system in 2012. After rising through the academy system at the club, he made his senior debut in 2015. He later had spells on loan with SPAL, whom he helped win the Serie B title in 2017, and achieve promotion to Serie A. He joined Napoli in 2018, winning a league title in 2023.
At international level, Meret has represented Italy at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels, and made his senior debut for Italy in 2019, also representing the nation at their victorious UEFA Euro 2020 campaign.
Club career
=Udinese=
An Udinese youth product, Meret was promoted to the first team as second-choice goalkeeper behind Orestis Karnezis during the 2015–16 season. He made his senior professional debut on 2 December 2015 in the Coppa Italia against Atalanta.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/12/02/italy/coppa-italia/udinese-calcio/atalanta-bergamo/2140630/|title=Udinese vs. Atalanta - 2 December 2015 - Soccerway|publisher=soccerway.com|accessdate=1 June 2015}}
In July 2016, Meret was sent on loan to Serie B club SPAL.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/ferrara/spal-meret-spighi-mercato-1.2321391|title=Meret loaned to Spal|publisher=Il Resto del Carlino|language=Italian|author=Stefano Manfredini|date=6 July 2016|accessdate=22 March 2017}} He returned to SPAL on loan for the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/it/notizie/calciomercato-spal-ufficiale-il-ritorno-di-meret-in-prestito/1rf1kkeeofxgg1mxmvmnw4rz4u|title=Meret return to Ferrara|publisher=goal.com|date=1 August 2017|accessdate= 1 August 2017}}
=Napoli=
On 5 July 2018, Meret signed with Napoli until 30 June 2023. The transfer fee agreed with Udinese was reported as €35 million.{{cite news |last1=Gladwell |first1=Ben |title=Napoli sign Fabian Ruiz from Real Betis and Alex Meret from Udinese |url=http://global.espn.com/football/soccer-transfers/story/3557188/napoli-sign-fabian-ruiz-from-real-betis-and-alex-meret-from-udinese |accessdate=5 July 2018 |work=ESPN FC |date=5 July 2018}}{{cite web |title=Meret arrives for Napoli |url=https://www.football-italia.net/123972/meret-arrives-napoli |website=Football Italia |accessdate=5 July 2018}} He made his European debut on 14 February 2019, in a 3–1 away win over FC Zürich in the first leg of the round of 32 of the Europa League.{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/134672/el-napoli-dominate-zurich |title=EL: Napoli dominate in Zurich |publisher=Football Italia |date=14 February 2019 |accessdate=15 February 2019 }}{{cite web |title=Napoli, Meret: parate europee. Un debutto che vale oro |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Europa-League/15-02-2019/napoli-meret-esordio-europa-un-salvataggio-che-vale-oro-3201382673827.shtml |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=Italian |last1=Nicita |first1=Maurizio |date=15 February 2019 |accessdate=15 February 2019 }}
During his first two seasons with Napoli, he was frequently used in a rotational role alongside David Ospina. However, under the club's new manager Gennaro Gattuso, he found himself relegated to the bench until the season break due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The coach favoured the Colombian shot-stopper due to his superior ability with the ball at his feet.{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/153644/new-deal-meret |title=New deal for Meret? |publisher=Football Italia |date=25 May 2020 |accessdate=17 June 2020 }} Following a suspension to Ospina, Meret started in the 2020 Coppa Italia Final against Juventus on 17 June. After a goalless draw in regulation time, Meret saved Paulo Dybala's spot kick, contributing to his team's 4–2 penalty shoot-out victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/154624/coppa-napoli-beat-juventus-penalties|title=Coppa: Napoli beat Juventus on penalties|publisher=Football Italia|date=17 June 2020|access-date=17 June 2020|archive-date=6 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906211649/https://www.football-italia.net/154624/coppa-napoli-beat-juventus-penalties|url-status=dead}} Subsequently, Meret found himself back in rotation with Ospina, starting about half of the matches until the end of the season. This rotational role continued into the following 2020–21 season, with Ospina and Meret alternating every other match in the Europa League, Serie A, and Coppa Italia.{{Cite web|url=https://colombia.as.com/colombia/2020/11/09/futbol/1604885027_952922.html|title = Gattuso revela por qué rota a David Ospina y Alex Meret|date = 8 November 2020}} However, in the next season, Meret assumed the role as the second goalkeeper in the league for the majority of the season under the new coach Luciano Spalletti. He was the first-choice keeper in the UEFA Europa League and the Coppa Italia.
In the subsequent 2022–23 season, Meret regained the role as the starting goalkeeper for Napoli after Ospina departed the club. He played the majority of the games in Serie A and the Champions League, playing a crucial role in winning the first scudetto in 33 years and reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League.{{cite web | url=https://www.dfb-akademie.de/ssc-neapel-der-italienische-meister/-/id-11011313/ | title=SSC Neapel – der italienische Meister }}
International career
Meret was a crucial member in the Italy U19 national team which took part in the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, finishing as runner-up after losing in the final; he was named in the team of the tournament alongside Kylian Mbappé of France.{{cite web|title=France cruise past Italy to win European Under-19 final|url=http://kwese.espn.com/football/report?gameId=457250|website=ESPN|accessdate=24 July 2016}}{{cite web |title=The UEFA technical team Team of the Tournament |url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/season=2016/technical-report/uefa-technical-team/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010010630/http://www.uefa.com/under19/season=2016/technical-report/uefa-technical-team/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 October 2016 |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |access-date=29 June 2018}}
In March 2017, following impressive performances for SPAL in Serie B, he was called up to the Italy national team squad for the World Cup qualification for a match against Albania and a friendly against the Netherlands.{{cite web |title=Italy: New faces for Albania and Holland |url=https://www.football-italia.net/99843/italy-new-faces-albania-and-holland |website=Football Italia |accessdate=29 June 2018 |date=18 March 2017}}
On 22 March 2018, he made his debut with the Italy U21, playing as starter in a friendly match against Norway.{{cite web |title=A piece of magic from Vido as Norway friendly ends 1-1 |url=http://www.figc.it/en/10/1985/HpSezione.shtml |website=Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio |accessdate=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724012229/http://www.figc.it/en/10/1985/HpSezione.shtml |archive-date=24 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}
He took part in the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship under manager Luigi Di Biagio,{{cite web|url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/nazionale-under-21-parte-avventura-europea-di-biagio-ufficializza-la-lista-dei-23-azzurrini/|title=Parte l'avventura europea: Di Biagio ufficializza la lista dei 23 Azzurrini|publisher=FIGC.it|language=Italian|date=6 June 2019|accessdate=19 November 2019}} as the team's first-choice goalkeeper.
Meret made his international debut for the senior national team under manager Roberto Mancini, on 18 November 2019, coming on as a substitute for Salvatore Sirigu in a 9–1 home win over Armenia, in Italy's final Euro 2020 qualifier.{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/146607/italy-armenia-annihilated-9-1 |title=Italy: Armenia annihilated 9-1! |publisher=Football Italia |date=18 November 2019 |accessdate=19 November 2019 }}
In June 2021, he was included in Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/mancini-names-uncapped-striker-raspadori-final-italy-euro-2020-squad-2021-06-01/ |title=Mancini names uncapped striker Raspadori in final Italy Euro 2020 squad |work=Reuters |date=1 June 2021 |access-date=5 June 2021 }} On 11 July, Meret 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51198762|title=England lose shootout in Euro 2020 final |first=Phil |last=McNulty|work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |date=11 July 2021 |access-date=11 July 2021 }} He was the only squad member not to make an appearance in the competition.{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/meret-campione-deuropa-zero-minuti-giocati-unico-della-rosa/nrcrqra386dz1aploq0eq4enl |title=Meret campione d'Europa con zero minuti giocati: è l'unico della rosa azzurra |publisher=www.goal.com |language=Italian |date=11 July 2021 |access-date=17 July 2021 }}
Style of play
File:FC Salzburg gegen SSC Napoli (Championsleague 3. Runde 23. Oktober 2019) 78.jpg in 2019]]
Considered once to be a talented and highly promising young goalkeeper in the Italian media,{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Napoli/16-01-2020/napoli-ospina-prescelto-gattuso-meret-sara-grande-portiere-360148558357.shtml |title=Ospina, il prescelto di Gattuso: "Meret sarà un grande portiere" |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=Italian |last1=Nicita |first1=Maurizio |date=16 January 2020 |accessdate=17 June 2020 }} Meret is an agile goalkeeper, who possesses good reactions and shot-stopping abilities, despite his height and imposing physique, and who is known for his handling and ability to rush off his line. He has also drawn praise in the media for his decision–making, maturity, and calm composure under pressure, as well as his discipline and work ethic, despite his youth; moreover, he is capable of organising his defence effectively and is known for his penalty–stopping abilities. Although he is competent with his feet, his distribution has been cited as an area in need of improvement.{{cite web |url=https://www.mondoprimavera.com/2016/03/25/u19-alla-scoperta-dei-ragazzi-vanoli-obiettivo-europeo/ |title=Italia U19, i ragazzi di Vanoli ai raggi X: obiettivo Europeo |publisher=www.mondoprimavera.com |language=Italian |last1=Fazzini |first1=Luca |work=Mondoprimavera |date=25 March 2016 |accessdate=17 June 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720110208/http://www.mondoprimavera.com/2016/03/25/u19-alla-scoperta-dei-ragazzi-vanoli-obiettivo-europeo/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/meret-ospina-napoli-piedi/1imoivz4jp24r1dqnaaopmrzwe |title=Dualismo Meret-Ospina in casa Napoli: coi piedi meglio il colombiano |publisher=Goal.com |last1=D'Amato |first1=Claudio |language=Italian |date=16 January 2020 |accessdate=17 June 2020 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/scouting-report-meret-14916 |title=Scouting Report: Alex Meret - the big-time awaits for this confident young custodian |publisher=www.calciomercato.com |last1=Hall |first1=Richard |date=21 June 2017 |accessdate=17 June 2020 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.ilmattino.it/sport/sscnapoli/napoli_meret_record_rigore-4840345.html |title=Napoli, Meret è già da record: nella top 5 dei portieri pararigori |work=www.ilmattino.it |language=it |date=4 November 2019 |access-date=17 July 2021 }} He has also struggled with physical problems and injuries throughout his career.{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Napoli/07-03-2020/fragile-poco-funzionale-gioco-gattuso-napoli-c-caso-meret-3601518752389.shtml |title=Fragile e poco funzionale al gioco di Gattuso: al Napoli c'è un caso Meret |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=Italian |last1=Malfitano |first1=Mimmo |date=7 March 2020 |accessdate=17 June 2020 }}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 27 April 2025}}{{cite web|title=Alex Meret » Club matches|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/alex-meret/2/|website=WorldFootball.net|access-date=29 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/alex-meret/319830/|title=A. Meret|website=Soccerway|access-date=15 February 2019 }}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Coppa Italia !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Udinese
|0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|SPAL (loan)
|30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18
|Serie A |13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!43 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 45 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="8"|Napoli
|rowspan="7"|Serie A |14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20
|22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21
|22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| 2021–22
|7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23
|34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 45 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24
|31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
| 2024–25
|30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!160 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 208 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!203 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 255 | 0 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 16 November 2022}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Italy
|2019 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 3 | 0 |
Honours
- Serie A: 2022–23{{cite web |date=4 May 2023 |title=Napoli win Serie A for first time in 33 years |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65488842 |access-date=4 May 2023 |website=BBC Sport}}
- Coppa Italia: 2019–20
Italy U19
- UEFA Euro U-19 Championship runners-up: 2016
Italy
- UEFA European Championship: 2020
- UEFA Nations League third place: 2020–21,{{cite web|date=10 October 2021|title=Italy 2-1 Belgium: Azzurri secure third place at Nations League finals|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/026e-137218f01734-bf182cc6c45c-1000--italy-2-1-belgium-azzurri-secure-third-place-at-nations-lea/|url-status=live|access-date=11 October 2021|website=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018183046/https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2030760--italy-vs-belgium/postmatch/report/ |archive-date=18 October 2021 }} 2022–23{{cite news|date=18 June 2023|title=Netherlands 2-3 Italy: Azzurri claim third place with thrilling win|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/0282-18494807115a-60db6abfda87-1000--netherlands-2-3-italy-azzurri-claim-third-place-with-thr/|access-date=18 June 2023|website=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)}}
Individual
- Primavera Girone B Goalkeeper of the Year: 2014–15
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship team of the tournament: 2016
- Serie B Goalkeeper of the Year: 2016–17
- UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI: 2019{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/025a-0e9f8ded0e4a-52bbb4b4d605-1000--champions-league-breakthrough-team-of-2019/ |title=Champions League breakthrough team of 2019 |date=30 December 2019 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=25 January 2020 |archive-date=30 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230124127/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2635905.html |url-status=live }}
Orders
:*File:ITA OMRI 2001 Cav BAR.svg 5th Class / Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2021{{cite web|url=https://quirinale.it/elementi/59113|title=Mattarella ha conferito onorificenze motu proprio ai giocatori e allo staff della Nazionale vincitrice del campionato europeo|publisher=quirinale.it|date=16 July 2021|language=Italian|access-date=16 July 2021|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716185328/https://quirinale.it/elementi/59113|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://sscnapoli.it/en/player-details/?id=664 Profile] at the SSC Napoli website
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20191008174023/http://www.legaseriea.it/it/giocatori/wd/XXNLW Lega Serie A Profile]{{in lang|it}}
- {{TuttoCalciatori|Meret_Alex}}
- [https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/nazionali-in-cifre/dettaglio-convocato/?calciatoreId=45711&squadraId=12 FIGC Profile] {{in lang|it}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{SSC Napoli squad}}
{{Navboxes
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{{Italy squad UEFA Euro 2020}}
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{{Portal bar|Association football|Italy}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meret, Alex}}
Category:Footballers from Udine
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Italian men's footballers
Category:Italy men's youth international footballers
Category:Italy men's international footballers
Category:Italy men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Udinese Calcio players
Category:UEFA Euro 2020 players
Category:UEFA Euro 2024 players
Category:UEFA European Championship–winning players
Category:European champions for Italy
Category:Knights of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic