Stefano Sturaro

Early career

Born in Sanremo, Italy, Sturaro began his career with local team, Sanremese before being scouted and signed by Serie A side Genoa in 2008. After joining the Ligurian club, he was assigned to the club's youth categories.

Genoa and Modena

After two seasons with the Primavera squad, Sturaro was called up to the first team, and was loaned out to Modena in the Serie B on 23 July 2012. On 1 December, he made his professional debut, playing the last 33 minutes in a 1–0 home win over Novara. He returned to Genoa having made 8 league appearances during the season. On 25 August 2013, Sturaro made his Serie A debut, coming on as a late substitute in a 0–2 away loss against Inter. He finished the season with 16 appearances and scored his maiden professional goal on 2 March 2014 in a home win against Catania.

Juventus

On 1 July 2014, Sturaro signed a five-year contract with Juventus, for a €5.5 million fee plus bonuses up to €5.5 million (€2 million for 2014–15 season which achieved; €3.5 million for 2015 onwards). The agreement also confirmed that Sturaro would spend the 2014–15 campaign on loan at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris outfit. He was recalled from Genoa on 2 February of the following year. On 5 May 2015, Sturaro made his debut in the UEFA Champions League in the first leg of the semi-finals, against defending champions Real Madrid. He was a contributor in Juventus' 2–1 success at the Juventus Stadium, and drew praise in the media for his…

With the Italy Under-21 side, he took part at the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship; he was sent off in the opening defeat 2–1 against eventual champions Sweden, and was banned for the remainder of the group stage as Italy were eliminated in the first round. On 31 May 2016, Sturaro was selected as part of Antonio Conte's Italy national senior side for Euro 2016. He made his senior debut on 6 June, as he came off the bench in Italy's last friendly match before Euro 2016 against Finland in a 2–0 victory in Verona.

A quick, hard-working, and tactically versatile player, Sturaro is capable of playing anywhere in midfield; in his early career, he initially played as a "mezzala," but as his career progressed, he was usually deployed as a box-to-box, central, or defensive midfielder in front of the back-line, courtesy of his energy and qualities as a ball-winner, as well as his solid technique, and subsequent capacity to start attacking plays after obtaining possession. Due to his physical attributes and ability in the air, he is also capable of playing as a defender, both in the centre, or on either flank, and has been used as a right-sided attacking full-back or wing-back in recent seasons; he has also been fielded as a winger on occasion. Regarded as one of the most promising footballers in the world in his position as a youngster, due to his work-rate, stamina, composure, tenacity, strength of character, and ability to read the game, his playing style drew comparisons with compatriot and 2006 World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso in his youth. Despite usually occupying a more defensive-minded role in midfield, Sturaro is also capable of making attacking runs into the box, which led him to be compared to former Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal during his time with the club. Although naturally right-footed, Sturaro is also capable of distributing and striking the ball with his left foot.

Club

As of match played 22 May 2022

International

As of 2 July 2016