Leonardo Pavoletti

On 27 August 2016, Pavoletti was called up to the Italy senior squad by manager Gian Piero Ventura for a friendly against France on 1 September and a 2018 World Cup qualification match on 5 September against Israel. On 15 March 2019, Pavoletti received an international call up from Roberto Mancini for the team's UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Finland and Liechtenstein. On 26 March, Pavoletti made his debut for the national team, also scoring his first goal, the final goal of a 6–0 home win over Liechtenstein.

Early career

Born in Livorno, Pavoletti started playing in the youth ranks of Gruppo Sportivo CNFO (Cantiere Navale Fratelli Orlando), he started his career at Armando Picchi. Then had spells at Viareggio, A.C. Pavia, S.S. Juve Stabia and Casale, showing good goalscoring form. He then went to Virtus Lanciano and was awarded the title of top scorer in 2011–12 Lega Pro Prima Divisione season, contributing to the promotion of the team with 16 goals in all competitions and 15 in the league.

Sassuolo

In the summer 2012, Pavoletti joined Sassuolo, scoring 5 goals in the first 4 league appearances for the Serie B side. However, during the season, he suffered a suspension of 40 days for doping, resulting in positive tests of tuaminoheptane after 26 December 2012 game against Livorno, Sassuolo lodged an appeal against the ban due to the assumption of Rinoflumicil, found in a nasal decongestant. Pavoletti returned to help Sassuolo win th Serie B title and earn promotion to Serie A for the first time in their history, after playing 33 matches and scoring 11 goals. After making only two appearances in Serie A for Sassuolo during the beginning of the 2013–14 season, on 2 September 2013, the last day of the Italian transfer window, Pavoletti joined Serie B side Varese on loan.

Varese loan

On 2 September 2013, Pavoletti went on loan to Varese with the right of purchasing his rights at the end of the season. He made his debut six days later, in a 3–0 away…

Pavoletti has been described as a large, direct, and "old fashioned" centre-forward, due to his hold-up play with his back to goal and, in particular, his ability in the air, as well as the fact that he mainly operates in the penalty area; however, he is also known for his movement across the entire attacking area of the pitch. His height, combined with his heading accuracy, timing, and elevation give him an edge in winning aerial challenges; as such, many of his goals are from headers, and he often functions as a target-man. A tall, physically strong, determined, and hard-working right-footed striker, although he is neither particularly quick nor particularly skilful from a technical standpoint, he is known for his intelligent attacking movement, positional sense, and eye for goal, as well as his link-up play, and his ability to get on the end of his teammates' crosses and finish off chances in the six-yard box with his head as well as either foot.

Known to friends as 'Pavoloso', Pavoletti played tennis up until the age of ten, when he began playing football. His father Paolo is a tennis coach. He also owns a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig called Mou.