Gianluca Lapadula

Early career

Lapadula began his career with Juventus before being released in 2004 because he was not doing well in his studies. After that he moved to Collegno Paradiso, then left on loan to Treviso in 2006. He returned to Piedmont for Serie C2 side Pro Vercelli on 31 August 2007. He played for the reserve team. In the 2008–09 season, he left for Lega Pro Seconda Divisione (ex–Serie C2) side Ivrea, and was selected to the Lega Pro 2nd Div. A representative team for Lega Pro Quadrangular Tournament and scored a goal against 2nd Div. C representative team in the third place match. Eventually, Group A finished third. In August 2009 he was signed by Parma and spent one season with their Primavera team. In July 2010, he left for Atletico Roma.

Loans to Atletico Roma and Cesena

Lapadula made his debut for Atletico Roma on 8 August 2010, in the Coppa Italia preliminary round, lost in extra time (2–1). In January 2011, he left for Ravenna. He concluded the 2011–12 season as the top-scorer in Group A with 24 goals. On 15 June 2012, Lapadula joined Serie B club Cesena in co-ownership, signing a five-year contract. Lapadula failed to play regularly for Cesena, and on 8 January 2013, he was signed by Frosinone. In July 2013, the co-ownership between Cesena and Parma was resolved, and Lapadula returned to Parma.

Loans to Gorica and Teramo

Lapadula was loaned to Slovenian club ND Gorica on 1 July, along with Bright Addae, Daniele Bazzoffia, Uroš Celcer,…

Lapadula was eligible to play for Italy and Peru as a result of his family background. He had received a call-up by Peru for the Copa América Centenario but had not officially decided which international side to represent at the time. On 7 November 2016, he was called up to the Italy senior squad for the first time for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Liechtenstein and a friendly match against Germany, replacing the injured Napoli forward Manolo Gabbiadini. On 31 May 2017, Lapadula scored a hat-trick for the Italy B team in a friendly against San Marino. On 30 October 2020, Lapadula was called-up by Ricardo Gareca to the Peru senior team for the first time, for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Chile and Argentina. He made his debut on 13 November, as a 60th-minute substitute in a 2–0 loss away to Chile. Lapadula scored his first senior international goal for Peru on 23 June 2021 in a 2–2 draw against Ecuador in the first round of the 2021 Copa América, later also assisting André Carrillo's goal. On 2 July, Lapadula scored once and contributed to Gustavo Gómez's own goal in a 3–3 draw against Paraguay in the quarter-finals of the competition, later also netting his nation's first penalty in the resulting 4–3 penalty shoot-out victory. On 9 July, he scored Peru's second goal in a 3–2 loss to Colombia in the third-place match of the tournament. In qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Lapadula scored the opening goals of wins over Bolivia,…

As a forward, Lapadula is a physically strong striker known for his work rate and temperament. His versatility allows him to play as a centre-forward or adapt to other roles, including second striker or winger on either flank, supported by his technical skills and ability to both score and assist goals. An accurate finisher, he has a strong left foot, and an eye for goal.

Lapadula was born in Turin in Piedmont, Italy on 7 February 1990, to an Italian father from Apulia, Gianfranco Lapadula, and a Peruvian mother, Blanca Aida Vargas Higinio. He has a brother named Davide, who was also a forward in the lower amateur leagues. Lapadula is nicknamed Lapagol in Italy, and El Bambino in Peru.