Giulia Dragoni

Born in Milan, Italy,{{Cite web |date=31 January 2023 |title=Giulia Dragoni, la piccola Messi va a Barcellona: prima calciatrice straniera alla Cantera |url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/sport/calcio/giulia-dragoni-barcellona-1.8493385 |access-date=2 July 2023 |publisher=Il Giorno}} Dragoni started playing football at the age of four,{{Cite web |last=Lignelli |first=Matteo |date=29 June 2023 |title=Giulia Dragoni: "La nuova vita tra Barça e Nazionale. Grazie a un segreto di papà" |url=https://www.cronachedispogliatoio.it/giulia-dragoni-intervista-barcellona-inter/ |access-date=2 July 2023 |website=Cronache di spogliatoio |publisher=}} joining grassroots club Franco Scarioni,{{Cite web |last=Cannatà |first=Fabio |date=17 May 2017 |title=Guarda guarda in campo c'è, una nuova giocatrice: Giulia Dragoni! |url=https://www.sprintesport.it/scuola-calcio/2017/05/17/news/guarda-guarda-in-campo-c-e-una-nuova-giocatrice-giulia-dragoni-26794/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |publisher=Sprint e Sport |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |last=Griñán |first=Marta |date=31 January 2023 |title=Giulia Dragoni, la primera perla internacional de La Masia |url=https://as.com/futbol/femenino/giulia-dragoni-la-primera-perla-internacional-de-la-masia-n/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=Diario AS |language=es-ES}} before moving to Cimiano, and then entering the junior academy of Pro Sesto in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Maioli |first=Mariarosa |date=29 November 2023 |title=Giulia Dragoni, a soli 17 anni abbatte il record che fu di Messi e fa sognare il calcio azzurro |url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/cronaca/giulia-dragoni-calcio-messi-fgh2o9s5 |access-date=1 December 2023 |website=Il Giorno |language=it-IT}} Here, she first came to prominence for her performances in mixed-sex junior championships,{{Cite web |date=25 July 2023 |title=Perché l'esordio di Giulia Dragoni è importante |url=https://www.ultimouomo.com/perche-esordio-giulia-dragoni-e-importante-storia-chi-e-centrocampista-italia-femminile-mondiali/ |access-date=26 July 2023 |website=L'Ultimo Uomo |language=it-IT}} where she played until 2019, earning the nickname "Little Messi".{{Cite web |last=Burhan |first=Asif |date=3 July 2023 |title=Giulia Dragoni Set To Play At Women's World Cup Aged 16 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/asifburhan/2023/07/03/giulia-dragoni-set-to-play-at-womens-world-cup-aged-16/ |access-date=3 July 2023 |work=Forbes |language=en-GB}}

Having first joined Inter Milan on trial for a youth tournament in 2018,{{Cite web |last=Ferrio |first=Edoardo |date=24 April 2021 |title=Quattordici anni e non sentirli, ecco a voi Giulia Dragoni |url=http://www.lagiovaneitalianews.it/calcio-femminile/quattordici-anni-e-non-sentirli-ecco-a-voi-giulia-dragoni-21586 |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=La Giovane Italia News |language=it-IT}} Dragoni officially entered the club's youth sector in the summer of 2020. During the 2020–21 campaign, following the halt of several youth leagues due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was promoted to Inter's under-19 squad, aged just 14, and contributed to a third-place finish in the national championship.{{Cite web |date=29 May 2021 |title=L'Inter batte la Florentia ai calci di rigore e chiude al terzo posto il Campionato Primavera |url=https://www.figc.it/it/femminile/news/l-inter-batte-la-florentia-ai-calci-di-rigore-e-chiude-al-terzo-posto-il-campionato-primavera/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=FIGC |language=it-IT}}

Having been promoted to Inter's first team at the start of the 2022–23 season, under head coach Rita Guarino,{{Cite web |last=Ricci |first=Filippo Maria |date=2 February 2022 |title=Dal Cimiano al Barça, il sogno della ragazza che dribblava i maschi |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/calcio/calcio-femminile/02-02-2023/giulia-dragoni-cimiano-barca-inter-46038087062.shtml |url-access=subscription |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT}} Dragoni made her professional debut on 20 November 2022, coming in as a substitute for Ghoutia Karchouni in the 74th minute of a goalless league draw against Fiorentina.{{Cite web |last=Iannucci |first=Federica |date=20 November 2022 |title=Termina con un pareggio senza reti la sfida tra la Fiorentina femminile e l'Inter Women |url=https://www.lfootball.it/2022/11/termina-con-un-pareggio-senza-reti-la-sfida-tra-la-fiorentina-femminile-e-linter-women |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=L Football |language=it-IT}} Having just turned 16 years old, she became the youngest player to ever feature in a Serie A match since the league had achieved full-time professional status. She went on to make three more appearances for Inter's senior team before the end of 2022.

On 31 January 2023, Dragoni officially joined Spanish side Barcelona on a permanent deal, signing a contract until June 2025.{{Cite web |date=31 January 2023 |title=Giulia Dragoni arriba a La Masia |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.cat/ca/noticies/3042837/giulia-dragoni-arriba-a-la-masia |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=FC Barcelona |language=ca}} In the process, she became the first non-Spanish member of the women's team setup to reside at La Masia. Having been registered for the club's reserve team, Barcelona B, she scored her first goal for the side on 5 March, in a 3–0 league win over Athletic B.{{Cite web |last=Ricchiuti |first=Rita |date=6 March 2023 |title=Primo gol per Giulia Dragoni con il Barcellona |url=https://www.lfootball.it/2023/03/giulia-dragoni-primo-gol-barcellona |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=L Football |language=it-IT}} In her first season at the club, she helped Barcelona B win the second-tier title,{{Cite web |last=Griñán |first=Marta |date=3 July 2023 |title=Del Barça B al sueño del Mundial |url=https://as.com/futbol/femenino/del-barca-b-al-sueno-del-mundial-n/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=Diario AS |language=es-ES}} having scored four goals in ten matches; she was also included in the first team's title-winning UEFA Women's Champions League squad, despite not featuring in any of their matches.{{Cite web |date=3 July 2023 |title=Giulia Dragoni ai Mondiali: da Forbes alla BBC, all'estero tutti ne parlano |url=https://www.lfootball.it/2023/07/giulia-dragoni-ai-mondiali-da-forbes-alla-bbc-all-estero-tutti-ne-parlano |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=L Football |language=it-IT}}

At the start of the 2023–24 season, Dragoni was still primarily part of Barcelona B but was included as a regular training player of the first team.{{Cite web |last=Gascón |first=Javier |date=7 September 2023 |title=El '7' de Salma, el '22' de Ona y el '24 de Brugts, novedades en los dorsales |url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20230907/1002065365/7-salma-22-ona-24-brugts-novedades-dorsales.html |access-date=8 September 2023 |website=Mundo Deportivo |language=es-ES}} She made her first-team debut on 26 November 2023, coming on as a substitute for Mariona Caldentey in the 83rd minute of a 4–0 Liga F win over Athletic Club.{{Cite web |last=Gil |first=Aimara G. |date=26 November 2023 |title=Otro recital de Hansen |url=https://as.com/futbol/femenino/el-barcelona-es-infalible-n/ |access-date=26 November 2023 |website=Diario AS |language=es-ES}}{{Cite web |last=Pozzoli |first=Martina |date=26 November 2023 |title=Giulia Dragoni debutta nella prima squadra del Barcellona |url=https://www.lfootball.it/2023/11/giulia-dragoni-debutta-nella-prima-squadra-del-barcellona |access-date=26 November 2023 |website=L Football |language=it-IT}} In the process, at 17 years and 19 days, she became the youngest non-Spanish player to make her debut for a senior Barcelona team (in men's or women's football).{{Cite web |last=Pozzoli |first=Martina |date=13 January 2024 |title=Primo gol per Giulia Dragoni con il Barcellona |url=https://www.lfootball.it/2024/01/primo-gol-per-giulia-dragoni-con-il-barcellona |access-date=14 January 2024 |website=L Football |language=it-IT}} On 13 December, she made her UEFA Women's Champions League debut, coming on for Esmee Brugts in the 78th minute of a 6–0 win over FC Rosengård in the group stage,{{Cite news |date=13 December 2023 |title=Barca thrash Rosengard to continue perfect start |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67709935 |access-date=14 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} and a month later she made her first start and scored her first goal for Barcelona's first team, opening the scoring in a 6–0 Copa de la Reina win over Fundación Albacete.{{Cite web |last=Gil |first=Aimara G. |date=13 January 2024 |title=Set en blanco del Barcelona en Albacete |url=https://as.com/futbol/femenino/set-en-blanco-del-barcelona-en-albacete-n/ |access-date=14 January 2024 |website=Diario AS |language=es-ES}}

Barcelona completed a quadruple, with Dragoni becoming the first Italian player to win the women's Champions League, also winning the league title, the Copa de la Reina and the Supercopa.{{Cite web |last=Pozzoli |first=Martina |date=25 May 2024 |title=Giulia Dragoni è la prima italiana a vincere la Champions League |url=https://www.lfootball.it/2024/05/giulia-dragoni-e-la-prima-italiana-a-vincere-la-champions-league |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=L Football}}{{Cite web |last=Gil |first=Aimara G. |date=26 May 2024 |title=El inédito póquer en España |url=https://as.com/futbol/femenino/el-inedito-poquer-en-espana-n/ |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=Diario AS |language=es}} While she was given few opportunities to play for the first team, Spanish newspaper Sport stated that she "brought something different" every time she featured for Barcelona.{{Cite web |last=Tikas |first=Maria |date=30 May 2024 |title=El 1x1 de una temporada perfecta |url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/futbol-femenino-barca/1x1-temporada-perfecta-103107077 |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=Diario Sport |language=es}}

File:Dragoni 2024.png

On 17 July 2024, Dragoni renewed her contract with Barcelona until 2027,{{Cite web |date=17 July 2024 |title=Dragoni, renovada i cedida a l’AS Roma |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.cat/ca/futbol/femeni-a/noticies/4060344/dragoni-renovada-i-cedida-a-las-roma |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=FC Barcelona |language=ca}}{{Cite web |last=Moreno |first=Alejandro |date=17 July 2024 |title=El Barcelona renueva a Dragoni y la cede a la Roma |url=https://as.com/futbol/femenino/el-barca-ata-a-dragoni-y-la-cede-a-la-roma-n/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=Diario AS |language=es}} and subsequently joined Serie A club Roma on a season-long loan.{{Cite web |date=17 July 2024 |title=Giulia Dragoni è una nuova calciatrice della Roma! |url=https://www.asroma.com/it/notizie/71512/giulia-dragoni-e-una-nuova-calciatrice-della-roma |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=AS Roma |language=it}} Dragoni made her Serie A debut with Roma on 30 August 2024, coming on as a substitute for Benedetta Glionna in the 58th minute of a 2–2 draw with Lazio.{{Cite web |title=Lazio vs. AS Roma Match Report – Friday August 30, 2024 |url=https://fbref.com/en/matches/8c690a6e/Lazio-AS-Roma-August-30-2024-Serie-A |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=FBref.com |language=en}}

Dragoni has represented Italy at various youth international levels, having played for the under-16, under-17 and under-19 national teams.{{Cite web |date=5 April 2023 |title=Italia, la partenza è quella giusta: a Vercelli superata la Grecia per 4–0. Mazzantini: "Gara interpretata al meglio" |url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/italia-la-partenza-è-quella-giusta-a-vercelli-superata-la-grecia-per-4-0-mazzantini-gara-interpretata-al-meglio/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=FIGC |language=it-IT}}

In March 2023 she received her first call-up to the Italian senior national team for the friendly match against Colombia.{{Cite web |date=29 March 2023 |title=Verso il Mondiale: trenta convocate per l'amichevole con la Colombia, prima chiamata per Beccari, Dragoni, Pavan e Schatzer |url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/verso-il-mondiale-trenta-convocate-per-l-amichevole-con-la-colombia-prima-chiamata-per-beccari-dragoni-pavan-e-schatzer/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=FIGC |language=it-IT}} In June of the same year, she was included in the preliminary squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup by head coach Milena Bertolini.{{Cite web |date=23 June 2023 |title=Da lunedì a Brunico 32 Azzurre si giocano il posto per il Mondiale. Il 1° luglio test con il Marocco in diretta su Rai 2 |url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/da-lunedì-a-brunico-32-azzurre-si-giocano-il-posto-per-il-mondiale-il-1-luglio-test-con-il-marocco-in-diretta-su-rai-2/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=FIGC |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |last=Iannucci |first=Federica |date=23 June 2023 |title=Nazionale femminile, le 32 convocate per la seconda parte del raduno pre Mondiale |url=https://www.lfootball.it/2023/06/nazionale-femminile-le-32-convocate-per-la-seconda-parte-del-raduno-pre-mondiale |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=L Football |language=it-IT}} She subsequently made her debut for the Azzurre on 1 July, coming on as a substitute in the second half of a friendly match against Morocco, which ended in a goalless draw:{{Cite web |date=1 July 2023 |title=Regge il muro del Marocco: l'ultimo test prima della partenza per la Nuova Zelanda finisce 0–0. Bertolini: "Meglio nel secondo tempo" |url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/regge-il-muro-del-marocco-lultimo-test-prima-della-partenza-per-la-nuova-zelanda-finisce-0-0-bertolini-meglio-nel-secondo-tempo/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=FIGC |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |last=Scognamiglio |first=Pietro |date=1 July 2023 |title=Italia, col Marocco tante giovani e l'esordio di Dragoni |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale-Femminile/01-07-2023/italia-col-marocco-tante-giovani-e-l-esordio-di-dragoni.shtml |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT}} at 16 years and 236 days, she became the youngest person to represent an Italian senior national football team in the 21st century, but did not beat the all-time record, originally established by Carolina Morace in 1978.

The following day, she was officially included in the final 23-women squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, aged just 16;{{Cite news |date=2 July 2023 |title=Italy name 16-year-old Dragoni in World Cup squad |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66084281 |access-date=3 July 2023}}{{Cite web |date=2 July 2023 |title=Verso il Mondiale, ufficializzata la lista delle 25 Azzurre in partenza per la Nuova Zelanda |url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/verso-il-mondiale-ufficializzata-la-lista-delle-25-azzurre-in-partenza-per-la-nuova-zelanda/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=FIGC |language=it-IT}} in the process, she became the second youngest player to get called up for the tournament, behind only Casey Phair.{{Cite web |last=Pozzoli |first=Martina |date=14 July 2023 |title=Da Giulia Dragoni a Casey Phair: le giovanissime calciatrici al Mondiale |url=https://www.lfootball.it/2023/07/da-giulia-dragoni-a-casey-phair-le-giovanissime-calciatrici-al-mondiale |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=L Football |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |last=Nava |first=Matteo |date=21 July 2023 |title=I test sbriciolati, la Masia, il Mondiale a 16 anni: la scalata di Giulia Dragoni |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale-Femminile/21-07-2023/giulia-dragoni-chi-e-talento-italia-mondiali_preview.shtml |access-date=22 July 2023 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT}} On 24 July 2023, Dragoni started in a 1–0 group stage win over Argentina:{{Cite news |date=24 July 2023 |title=Girelli decisive as Italy beat Argentina |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66286623 |access-date=24 July 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Scognamiglio |first=Pietro |date=24 July 2023 |title=Mondiale donne, è subito grande Italia! L'eterna Girelli affonda l'Argentina |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale-Femminile/24-07-2023/italia-donne-vittoria-con-l-argentina-nella-prima-partita-del-mondiale-1-0-gol-girelli.shtml |access-date=24 July 2023 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT}} at 16 years and 259 days, she became the youngest player to ever represent the Azzurre in the competition's history,{{Cite web |last=Pozzoli |first=Martina |date=24 July 2023 |title=Giulia Dragoni è la più giovane italiana di sempre a debuttare in un mondiale |url=https://www.lfootball.it/2023/07/giulia-dragoni-e-la-piu-giovane-italiana-di-sempre-a-debuttare-in-un-mondiale |access-date=24 July 2023 |website=L Football |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |last=Morse |first=Ben |date=24 July 2023 |title=Italy wins 1-0 against Argentina as 16-year-old 'Little Messi' Giulia Dragoni makes debut at Women's World Cup |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/24/football/giulia-dragoni-italy-argentina-womens-world-cup-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=24 July 2023 |website=CNN |language=en-US}} a record that previously belonged to Rita Guarino,{{Cite web |last=Ferri |first=Alessandro |date=24 July 2023 |title=Giulia Dragoni "polverizza" Beppe Bergomi: è l'azzurra più giovane di sempre ai Mondiali |url=https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/giulia-dragoni-polverizza-beppe-bergomi-e-l-azzurra-piu-giovane-di-sempre-ai-mondiali/blt888d2205574eb3d9 |access-date=24 July 2023 |website=Goal.com |language=it-IT}} while also overtaking Giuseppe Bergomi as Italy's youngest player to take part in any World Cup match, including both men's and women's football. She also became the second-youngest European player to feature in a FIFA Women's World Cup game.

Dragoni mainly operates as a midfielder in the mezzala role; she is best known for her dribbling skills, as well as her ball control, her passing and her tactical intelligence.

{{updated|match played 30 August 2024}}{{Soccerway|giulia-dragoni/796814}}[https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/c/jugador.html?id=90602 Dragoni] at BDFutbol

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 16 July 2024}}

;Barcelona

• Liga F: 2023–24{{Cite web |last=Morse |first=Ben |date=25 May 2024 |title=Barcelona retains Women's Champions League title, completing historic quadruple |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/25/sport/barcelona-lyon-womens-champions-league-2024-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=25 May 2024 |website=CNN}}
• Copa de la Reina: 2023–24
• Supercopa de España: 2023–24
• UEFA Women's Champions League: 2023–24

;Individual

• IFFHS Women's Youth (U20) UEFA Team: 2023{{cite web|date=7 February 2024|title=IFFHS WOMEN'S YOUTH (U20) UEFA TEAM 2023|url=https://iffhs.com/posts/3389|access-date=19 February 2024|website=IFFHS}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Soccerway|id=giulia-dragoni/796814}}
• {{WorldFootball.net|id=giulia-dragoni}}

{{AS Roma (women) squad}}

{{Italy squad 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dragoni, Giulia}}

Category:2006 births

Category:Living people

Category:Italian women's footballers

Category:Women's association football midfielders

Category:Footballers from Milan

Category:Serie A (women's football) players

Category:Primera Federación (women) players

Category:Liga F players

Category:Pro Sesto 1913 players

Category:Inter Milan (women) players

Category:FC Barcelona Femení players

Category:FC Barcelona Femení B players

Category:AS Roma (women) players

Category:Italian expatriate women's footballers

Category:Expatriate women's footballers in Spain

Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in Spain

Category:Italy women's youth international footballers

Category:Italy women's international footballers

Category:2023 FIFA Women's World Cup players

Category:21st-century Italian sportswomen