Marco Benassi

Born in Modena, Benassi began his career at his local club Modena. In January 2011 Benassi was signed by Inter Milan on a temporary deal. After a half-season with the Inter U17 youth team, Benassi signed for Inter permanently in a co-ownership deal for €180,000.FC Internazionale Milano SpA Report and Accounts on 30 June 2012 {{in lang|it}} Benassi was a member of both Inter U18 and U19 team in 2011–12 season, winning the Primavera league and European title – NextGen Series. He also played for the U18 team in the league playoffs round, winning the Berretti league.

Benassi was included in summer training camp by his former U19 team coach Andrea Stramaccioni, winning the pre-season TIM Trophy and well as being included in the 25-men List A squad for 2012–13 UEFA Europa League; as one of the four essential association trained player (local player) as required by UEFA.{{cite news|url=http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=40733&L=en|title=Europa League, group stage: Inter's squad list|date=3 September 2012|access-date=24 November 2012|work=www.inter.it|publisher=F.C. Internazionale Milano|archive-date=8 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908014527/http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=40733&L=en|url-status=dead}} In October 2012 he signed a new five-year contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.inter.it/aas/news/reader?N=41134&L=en|title=Marco Benassi re-signs with Inter until 2017|date=23 October 2012|access-date=24 November 2012|work=www.inter.it|publisher=F.C. Internazionale Milano|archive-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108035944/https://www.inter.it/en/news/2012/10/23/marco-benassi-re-signs-with-inter-until-2017.html|url-status=dead}}

Benassi made his senior debut for Inter 22 November 2012 against Russian side Rubin Kazan in the starting XI. Fielding a younger squad, Inter lost 3–0. On 12 January 2013, he made his Serie A debut for Inter, starting in a 2–0 victory over Pescara. On 21 February 2013, he scored his first senior goal against CFR Cluj.

On 9 July 2013, he was transferred on loan to Livorno, making his competitive debut on 17 August in a 1–0 Coppa Italia defeat against Siena. He scored his first goal in the Italian top flight on 26 January 2014 at home to Sassuolo, before scoring his second of the season on 16 March against Bologna.

On 1 July 2014, it was officially announced that Benassi was sold to Torino under a co-ownership agreement, as part of the transfer that brought Danilo D'Ambrosio to Inter in January.{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttosport.com/calcio/serie_a/torino/2014/01/28-283998/D'Ambrosio-Inter+ok,+al+Toro+soldi+e+Benassi|title=D'Ambrosio-Inter ok, al Toro soldi e Benassi|date=28 January 2014|access-date=3 November 2015|work=Tuttosport|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107045201/http://www.tuttosport.com/calcio/serie_a/torino/2014/01/28-283998/D'Ambrosio-Inter+ok,+al+Toro+soldi+e+Benassi|archive-date=7 November 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=UFFICIALE – Benassi è un nuovo giocatore del Torino|url=http://www.torinogranata.it/mercato/ufficiale-benassi-e-un-nuovo-giocatore-del-torino-47414|website=torinogranata.it|access-date=1 July 2014|language=it}}{{cite web|title=Official: Benassi to Torino|url=http://www.football-italia.net/51436/official-benassi-torino|website=football-italia.net|access-date=1 July 2014}}{{cite web|title=Benassi al Toro|url=http://torinofc.it/news/01/07/2014/benassi-al-toro_5192|website=torinofc.it|publisher=Torino Football Club|date=1 July 2014|access-date=1 July 2014|language=it|archive-date=7 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907114540/https://torinofc.it/news/01/07/2014/benassi-al-toro_5192|url-status=dead}} He made his debut for the Granata as a substitute during the third round of the 2014–15 Europa League which Torino won 3–0 against Swedish club Brommapojkarna.{{cite web|title=BROMMAPOJKARNA VS. TORINO 0 – 3|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/07/31/europe/uefa-cup/ildrottsforening--brommapojkarna/torino-fc/1802667/|website=soccerway.com|access-date=2 August 2014}} On 18 January 2015 he scored his first goal for Torino against Cesena. He scored again on 8 March after entering as a substitute for Alessandro Gazzi, marking the final goal in a 3–2 defeat at the Stadio Friuli against Udinese. He returned to the scoresheet in the final game of the season against Cesena (the match ended 5–0 in favour of Torino).

On 25 June 2015, the deadline for the expiration of the co-ownership, Torino acquired the other half of his contract for an additional €3.3 million,Torino F.C. S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 31 December 2015, [http://www.registroimprese.it PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.] (in Italian) after winning a blind auction against the reported €2.9 million offered by the Nerazzurri.{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/torino/?action=read&idtmw=696459|title=Torino, Inter superata alle buste: Benassi ora è tutto granata}}{{cite web|url=http://www.inter.it/en/news/48498|title=CO-OWNERSHIP SETTLEMENTS|publisher=Inter.it|access-date=25 June 2015|archive-date=28 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628220024/http://www.inter.it/en/news/48498|url-status=dead}} At the start of his second season with the club he changed his shirt number, from 94 to 15. During a 2–1 win over Palermo on 27 September 2015, Benassi scored with a volley reminiscent of Marco van Basten's strike in the final of Euro 88.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2572642-marco-benassi-scores-stunning-van-basten-esque-volley-for-torino|title=Marco Benassi Scores Stunning Van Basten-Esque Volley for Torino|first=Tom|last=Webb|website=Bleacher Report }}{{cite web|url=http://ilbuzz.it.eurosport.com/stars/benassi-si-inventa-un-gol-alla-van-basten-e-fa-impazzire-il-popolo-granata-2898/|title=Benassi si inventa un gol alla Van Basten e fa impazzire il popolo granata – IL BUZZ|date=27 September 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Torino/27-09-2015/benassi-golazo-van-basten-non-ho-capito-ancora-cosa-ho-fatto-130290050352.shtml|title=Benassi: "Il gol alla Van Basten? Non ho capito ancora cosa ho fatto..."|date=2015 }} On 7 February 2016 he opened the scoring in a home loss against Chievo Verona.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/chievo/serie-a-birsa-rilancia-il-chievo-crisi-torino_1089264-201602a.shtml|title=Serie A, Birsa rilancia il Chievo: crisi Torino – Sportmediaset|first=STEFANO|last=FIORE|website=Sportmediaset.it}} He finished the season with 32 appearances in which he scored three goals.

He scored his first goal of the 2016–17 season in a 2–1 win against Fiorentina on 2 October 2016; a match in which he also wore the captain's armband for the first time for Torino.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/02/italy/serie-a/torino-fc/acf-fiorentina/2305820/|title=Torino vs. Fiorentina – 2 October 2016 – Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com}}

On 9 August 2017, Fiorentina announced the signing of Benassi on a five-year deal.{{cite news|url=http://it.violachannel.tv/vc13-dettaglio-breaking/items/id-09-08-2017_12-57-47_marco-benassi-e-un-calciatore-della-fiore.html|title=Fiorentina announced Benassi acquisition|website=it.violachannel.tv|date=9 August 2017|language=it}}

On 12 September 2020, Benassi joined Hellas Verona on a season-long loan, with option to buy.{{cite news|url=https://www.hellasverona.it/it/news/ufficiale-marco-benassi-e-un-nuovo-centrocampista-dellhellas-verona|title=Ufficiale: Marco Benassi è un nuovo centrocampista dell'Hellas Verona|website=hellasverona.it|date=12 September 2020|language=it|access-date=12 September 2020|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122165548/https://www.hellasverona.it/it/news/ufficiale-marco-benassi-e-un-nuovo-centrocampista-dellhellas-verona|url-status=dead}} However, due to various injuries, he missed the entire season, making only one appearance on the team's substitutes bench on 20 February 2021 for the Serie A game against Genoa. At the season's end, he returned to Fiorentina.

On 22 January 2022, Benassi moved to Empoli on loan.{{cite web|publisher=Empoli|url=https://empolifc.com/marco-benassi-e-un-nuovo-calciatore-azzurro/|title=Marco Benassi è un nuovo calciatore azzurro|date=22 January 2022|access-date=22 January 2022|language=it}}

On 19 January 2023, Benassi joined Cremonese on loan for the rest of the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|publisher=Cremonese|url=https://www.uscremonese.it/marco-benassi-nuovo-calciatore-della-cremonese/|title=MARCO BENASSI NUOVO CALCIATORE DELLA CREMONESE|date=19 January 2023|access-date=19 January 2023|language=it|archive-date=19 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119160700/https://www.uscremonese.it/marco-benassi-nuovo-calciatore-della-cremonese/|url-status=dead}}

On 2 September 2023, Benassi's contract with Fiorentina was terminated by mutual consent.{{cite web|publisher=Fiorentina|url=https://www.acffiorentina.com/it/news/tutte/prima-squadra-maschile/2023-09-02/risolto-il-contratto-di-marco-benassi|title=RISOLTO IL CONTRATTO DI MARCO BENASSI|trans-title=MARCO BENASSI'S CONTRACT TERMINATED|date=2 September 2023|access-date=2 September 2023|language=it}}

Benassi played all 3 games in the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification.{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/under19/season=2013/teams/player=250053173/index.html |title=Marco Benassi |website=UEFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217205409/http://www.uefa.com/under19/season%3D2013/teams/player%3D250053173/index.html |archive-date=17 December 2012}} He made his debut with the Italy under-21 squad on 14 August 2013, under Luigi Di Biagio, in the friendly match Slovakia-Italy (1–4). From 10–12 March 2014, he was called up by the head coach of the senior national team, Cesare Prandelli, as part of an evaluate of young players ahead of the 2014 World Cup.{{cite web|title=STAGE A ROMA DAL 10 AL 12 MARZO: SONO 31 I CONVOCATI DI PRANDELLI|url=http://www.figc.it/it/204/39145/2014/03/News.shtml|work=figc.it|publisher=Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio|access-date=12 April 2014|language=it}}

He took part in the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic where he scored a brace in the last game of the group stage against England.{{cite web|title=Under-21 2015 - England-Italy – UEFA.com|url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/match/2015378--england-vs-italy/|work=UEFA|access-date=25 June 2015}} Benassi began the subsequent biennial cycle as captain of the under-21 squad.

In May 2016 he was called up to the senior national team by coach Antonio Conte in preparation for the UEFA Euro 2016. He was subsequently included in the list of 30 provisional players for the tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/Nazionale/benassi-e-zappacosta-coro-pro-ventura-sarebbe-ottimo-ct-_1099324-201602a.shtml|title=Benassi e Zappacosta, coro pro-Ventura: "Sarebbe ottimo ct" – Sportmediaset|website=Sportmediaset.it}} On 31 May, he was named one of three reserves for the senior side for Euro 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/85180/rugani-azzurri-reserves|title=Rugani in Azzurri reserves|publisher=Football Italia|date=31 May 2016|access-date=31 May 2016}} On 7 October, he was called up again, this time by Gian Piero Ventura, as a replacement for the injured Riccardo Montolivo for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Macedonia.{{cite web|url=http://www.raisport.rai.it/dl/raiSport/Articoli/Montolivo-lascia-il-ritiro-arriva-Benassi-86b6848f-0bfc-49ac-9823-b54f8293a7e3.html|title=Montolivo lascia il ritiro, arriva Benassi – Calcio – RaiSport}}

In June 2017, he was included in the Italy under-21 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship by manager Di Biagio.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/103752/u21-italy-squad-euros-named|title=U21: Italy squad for Euros named|publisher=Football Italia|date=6 June 2017|access-date=16 June 2017}} Italy were eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals on 27 June, following a 3–1 defeat.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/european-under-21-championship/2284/blog/post/3149736/italy-fall-to-familiar-foe-spain-at-u21-euros-but-there-is-hope-for-the-future|title=Italy fall to familiar foe Spain at U21 Euros but there is hope for the future|publisher=ESPN FC|author1=James Horncastle|date=28 June 2017|access-date=24 October 2017}}

A talented, hard-working, well-rounded and versatile box-to-box midfielder,{{cite web|url=https://it.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0ded80dae05d-1795a1861276-1000--benassi-vietato-sbagliare/|title=Benassi: "Vietato sbagliare"|publisher=UEFA|language=it|author1=Alessandro Massimo|date=24 June 2015|access-date=14 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/torino/2016/10/02/news/pagelle_nel_torino_benassi_con_personalita_nella_fiorentina_si_salva_sanchez-148979965/?refresh_ce|title=Pagelle: nel Torino Benassi con personalità, nella Fiorentina si salva Sanchez|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|author1=Benedetto Ferrara|date=2 October 2016|access-date=14 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.toronews.net/toro/atalanta-torino-scende-in-campo-lazzurro-del-futuro/|title=Atalanta-Torino: scende in campo l'azzurro del futuro|publisher=Toro News|language=it|author1=Federico Bosio|date=20 November 2015|access-date=14 October 2016}} Benassi is capable of playing both as a defensive midfielder{{cite web|url=http://www.toronews.net/toro/torino-lassenza-di-acquah-spiana-la-strada-a-benassi/?refresh_ce-cp|title=Torino, l'assenza di Acquah spiana la strada a Benassi|publisher=Toro News|language=it|author1=Gualtiero Lasala|date=8 January 2016|access-date=14 October 2016}} or as a more offensive minded central midfielder;{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/serie-a/torino/2016/10/10-16219305/lukic_il_raggio_di_luce_del_torinosta_per_accendersi?cookieAccept|title=Lukic, il raggio di luce del Torino sta per accendersi|publisher=Tutto Sport|language=it|date=10 October 2016|access-date=14 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.calciomercato.com/news/vivo-x-lei-borioni-risponde-chi-saranno-i-nuovi-buffon-barzagli--119834|title=Vivo x Lei, Borioni risponde: chi saranno i nuovi Buffon, Barzagli, Pirlo e Di Natale?|publisher=CalcioMercato.com|language=it|date=23 January 2016|access-date=14 October 2016}} he has also been used as a winger.{{cite web |url=http://www.violanews.com/news-viola/amoruso-fiorentina-matura-lafont-dragowski-vi-spiego-il-rapporto-portieri-difensori/?refresh_ce-cp |title=Amoruso: "Fiorentina matura. Benassi alla Dino Baggio. Vi spiego il rapporto portieri-difensori" |publisher=www.violanews.com |language=it |date=3 September 2018 |access-date=3 September 2018 }} In addition, he is both a skilled tackler and physically strong with good vision and technique, as well as an ability to time and make late attacking runs from behind into the box. He also possesses a good ability to strike from distance.{{cite web|url=http://www.toro.it/archivio/il-pagellone-2014-2015-marco-benassi/1437/|title=Il pagellone 2014/2015: Marco Benassi|publisher=Toro.it|language=it|date=23 June 2016|access-date=14 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.calciomercato.com/news/benassi-livaja-longo-l-inter-giovane-per-reedazione-336426|title=Benassi, Livaja, Longo: l'Inter giovane|publisher=CalcioMercato.com|language=it|author1=Giovanni Battista Terenziani|date=23 January 2013|access-date=14 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.toronews.net/toro/torino-sampdoria-torna-benassi-vivo-il-ballottaggio-con-acquah/?refresh_ce-cp|title=Torino-Sampdoria, torna Benassi: vivo il ballottaggio con Acquah|publisher=Toro News|language=it|date=16 September 2015|access-date=14 October 2016}}

{{updated|match played 21 May 2022}}{{Soccerway|marco-benassi/218153}}

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Inter Milan

• Campionato Nazionale Primavera: 2011–12
• NextGen series: 2011–12

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• [http://www.figc.it/nazionali/DettaglioConvocato?codiceConvocato=3777&squadra=9 FIGC] {{in lang|it}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Benassi, Marco}}

Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Modena

Category:Italian men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Italy men's youth international footballers

Category:Italy men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Modena FC 2018 players

Category:Inter Milan players

Category:US Livorno 1915 players

Category:Torino FC players

Category:ACF Fiorentina players

Category:Hellas Verona FC players

Category:Empoli FC players

Category:US Cremonese players

Category:Serie A players

Category:21st-century Italian sportsmen