Cristiano Biraghi (Italian pronunciation: [kriˈstjaːno biˈraːɡi]; born 1 September 1992) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Serie A club Fiorentina, whom he captains and the Italy national team.[1][2][3]

Cristiano Biraghi
Biraghi with Fiorentina in 2022
Personal information
Full name Cristiano Biraghi
Date of birth (1992-09-01) 1 September 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Cernusco sul Naviglio, Italy
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Left-back
Team information
Current team
Fiorentina
Number 3
Youth career
2005–2011 Internazionale
2007–2008Pro Sesto (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Internazionale 0 (0)
2011–2012Juve Stabia (loan) 11 (0)
2012–2014 Cittadella 33 (0)
2013–2014Catania (loan) 23 (0)
2014–2016 Internazionale 0 (0)
2014–2015Chievo (loan) 18 (0)
2015–2016Granada (loan) 32 (0)
2016–2018 Pescara 37 (1)
2017–2018Fiorentina (loan) 34 (1)
2018– Fiorentina 178 (11)
2019–2020Internazionale (loan) 26 (2)
International career
2010–2011 Italy U19 7 (0)
2010–2015 Italy U21 10 (0)
2018– Italy 16 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:04, 3 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 October 2023 (UTC)

Club career

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Youth years

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Born in Cernusco sul Naviglio, the Province of Milan, Biraghi began his career with Internazionale, playing in their youth teams from 2005 onwards. For the 2007–08 season he spent time at Pro Sesto alongside his club compatriots and youth products.[4] He started his career as a midfielder but later became a left back. He played a few friendlies for the club[5][6][7] and participated in their 2010 summer tour,[8] scoring a goal in the Pirelli Cup, helping them to a 3–0 victory over Manchester City.[9]

Inter Milan

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Biraghi made his first team debut in a competitive game on 24 November 2010, against Twente in the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League, replacing Goran Pandev.[10] Before that match Inter had lost a number of first team players through injury.

Biraghi would be given a starting berth in Inter's next game in the Champions League, on 7 December 2010, against Werder Bremen in what would be a 3–0 home win for the German side, with the likes of Davide Santon moving to wing forward and Cristian Chivu unable to play due to an injury.

In July 2011, he was loaned to Serie B club Juve Stabia. On 27 August 2011, he made his debut for the club in the first league match of the season, a 2–1 loss against Empoli.

Cittadella

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In summer 2012, Biraghi was signed by Serie B club A.S. Cittadella on loan, with an option to sign half of the registration rights. In June 2013 Cittadella exercised the option for €150,000.[11][12] However, Inter also paid a subsidy (Italian: premi di valorizzazione) of €50,000 to Cittadella for the loan.[12]

Biraghi was loaned to Catania on 2 September 2013 for €300,000.[13][14][15]

Return to Inter Milan

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In June 2014, Inter bought back Biraghi from Cittadella for €610,000 (€600,000 plus the remain 50% registration rights of Simone Pecorini).[15][16][17] He signed a new four-year contract with Inter in 2014.[16] However, he spent 2 seasons on loan to other clubs before he became a make-weight of another signing.

He signed a two-year loan deal with Chievo on 6 July 2014.[18]

On 27 August 2015, Biraghi moved to La Liga side Granada CF, after agreeing to a one-year loan deal.[19]

Pescara

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On 11 July 2016, Biraghi was sold to Serie A newcomers Pescara in a permanent deal. On the same day Pescara also signed Rey Manaj on loan, as well as Gianluca Caprari who was sold to Inter but loaned back to Pescara for a season. Pescara were relegated at the end of season.

Fiorentina

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On 15 August 2017, Biraghi joined Serie A club Fiorentina on loan, with an obligation to buy the player.[20][21]

On 29 May 2024, Biraghi started in Fiorentina's 1–0 extra-time defeat to Olympiacos in the 2024 UEFA Europa Conference League final.[22]

Second return to Inter Milan

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In August 2019, Biraghi was re-signed by Inter in a temporary deal, with Dalbert moving the opposite direction. Inter had an option to sign Biraghi from Fiorentina in a permanent deal in 2020 for a reported €12 million fee, but opted not to take this up.[23]

International career

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Under the new regime of Ciro Ferrara, he made his U21 debut on 17 November 2010, as starting left back in the friendly match that Italy won 2–1 against Turkey.[24] In that match he also featured alongside former Inter teammates Giulio Donati and Luca Caldirola in the defensive line.

He received his first call-up along with Felice Natalino in August 2010 for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification.[25] In the next month, he made his U19 debut against Serbia.[26] Before that, he received only one call-up in 2009 from the U18 team.[27]

He was given his first senior international call-up for Italy in September 2018, by manager Roberto Mancini, for Italy's opening UEFA Nations League matches against Poland and Portugal later that month.[28] He made his senior international debut in Italy's 1–1 home draw against Poland on 7 September, in their UEFA Nations League opener.[29] On 14 October 2018, he scored his first goal for Italy on his third cap in the return UEFA Nations League match away to Poland to secure a 1–0 win in the 92nd minute, which secured Italy's safety in the group;[30] Biraghi dedicated his goal to former Fiorentina teammate Davide Astori who died early that year.[31]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 28 November 2024[32]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Internazionale 2010–11 Serie A 0 0 0 0 2[b] 0 2 0
Juve Stabia (loan) 2011–12 Serie B 11 0 1 0 12 0
Cittadella 2012–13 Serie B 33 0 3 0 36 0
Catania (loan) 2013–14 Serie A 23 0 0 0 23 0
Internazionale 2014–15 Serie A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chievo (loan) 2014–15 Serie A 18 0 1 0 19 0
Granada (loan) 2015–16 La Liga 32 0 1 0 33 0
Pescara 2016–17 Serie A 35 1 2 0 37 1
Fiorentina (loan) 2017–18 Serie A 34 1 1 0 35 1
Fiorentina 2018–19 Serie A 36 1 4 0 40 1
2020–21 Serie A 35 1 3 0 38 1
2021–22 Serie A 37 4 5 1 42 5
2022–23 Serie A 33 2 4 0 15[c] 1 52 3
2023–24 Serie A 29 2 3 0 13[c] 1 1[d] 0 45 3
2024–25 Serie A 8 1 0 0 5[c] 0 13 1
Total 212 12 20 1 33 2 1 0 266 15
Internazionale (loan) 2019–20 Serie A 26 2 3 0 8[e] 1 37 3
Career total 390 15 31 1 43 3 1 0 465 19
  1. ^ Includes Coppa Italia, Copa del Rey
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  4. ^ Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana
  5. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League

International

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As of match played 14 October 2023[33]
Italy
Year Apps Goals
2018 4 1
2019 3 0
2020 2 0
2021 2 0
2022 2 0
2023 3 0
Total 16 1
Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Biraghi goal.[33]
List of international goals scored by Cristiano Biraghi
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 14 October 2018 Stadion Śląski, Chorzów, Poland   Poland 1–0 1–0 2018–19 UEFA Nations League A

Honours

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Inter Milan

Fiorentina

Italy U21

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Cristiano Biraghi National Football Teams". Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Cristiano Biraghi Football Stats Fiorentina Age 26 Soccer Base". Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Biraghi, Cristiano Biraghi - Footballer - BDFutbol". Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Youngsters return from loan periods". FC Internazionale Milano. www.inter.it. 1 July 2008. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  5. ^ "Friendly: Piacenza 2–1 Inter". FC Internazionale Milano. www.inter.it. 10 October 2009. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  6. ^ "Vaduz 1–2 Inter: Arnautovic scores twice". FC Internazionale Milano. www.inter.it. 14 November 2009. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  7. ^ "Inter win 2010 TIM Trophy". FC Internazionale Milano. www.inter.it. 14 August 2010. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  8. ^ "Inter – Panathinaikos 2–3, Eto'o and Coutinho". FC Internazionale Milano. www.inter.it. 4 August 2010. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  9. ^ "Pirelli Cup 2010: Inter won over ManCity". FC Internazionale Milano. www.inter.it. 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  10. ^ "U.C.L., Inter-Twente 1–0: Qualification reached". FC Internazionale Milano. www.inter.it. 24 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  11. ^ F.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2013 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  12. ^ a b A.S. Cittadella S.r.l. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2013 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  13. ^ "Cristiano Biraghi al Catania, a titolo temporaneo con diritto di riscatto della metà" (in Italian). Calcio Catania. 2 September 2013. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  14. ^ Calcio Catania S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2014 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  15. ^ a b A.S. Cittadella S.r.l. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 31 December 2014 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  16. ^ a b F.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. bilancio (financial report and accounts) on 30 June 2015 (in Italian), PDF purchased from Italian C.C.I.A.A.
  17. ^ "Ultimo giorno per le comproprietà" (in Italian). A.S. Cittadella. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  18. ^ "Ufficiale: Biraghi al ChievoVerona! - Video". A.C. Chievo Verona (www.chievoverona.it) (in Italian). 6 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.[permanent dead link]
  19. ^ "Granada CF".
  20. ^ "BIRAGHI È UN NUOVO CALCIATORE DELLA FIORENTINA". Viola Channel (Press release) (in Italian). Florence: ACF Fiorentina. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  21. ^ "Calciomercato Fiorentina, Biraghi; Che occasione". Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). Rome. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  22. ^ a b Media, P. A. (29 May 2024). "Olympiakos win Europa Conference League after El Kaabi floors Fiorentina". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Inter, Biraghi arrives at Coni for medical visit: the photo". GianlucaDiMarzio.com. Editore G.D.M. Communication. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  24. ^ "Doppietta di Macheda Ferrara parte bene". la Repubblica (in Italian). 17 November 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
  25. ^ "Italy Under-21 call-ups for Biraghi, Natalino". FC Internazionale Milano. www.inter.it. 28 August 2010. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  26. ^ "U19: Italy 3–1 Serbia". FC Internazionale Milano. www.inter.it. 22 September 2010. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  27. ^ "TRENTA AZZURRINI CONVOCATI PER LO STAGE DELL'UNDER 18". Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) (in Italian). 20 August 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  28. ^ "Chiellini rejoins Italy squad; Pellegri called up". www.sportsnet.ca. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  29. ^ "Italy: Azzurri open with Poland point". Football Italia. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  30. ^ "Last-gasp Biraghi beats Poland". Football Italia. 14 October 2018.
  31. ^ "Biraghi dedicates winner to Astori". Football Italia. 14 October 2018.
  32. ^ "C. Biraghi". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  33. ^ a b "Biraghi, Cristiano" (in Italian). FIGC. Retrieved 7 September 2018.[dead link]
  34. ^ Mackenzie, Alasdair (24 May 2023). "Fiorentina 1-2 Inter Milan - Lautaro Martinez scores double as the Nerazzurri defend Coppa Italia". Eurosport. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  35. ^ Stone, Simon (7 June 2023). "Fiorentina 1–2 West Ham United: Jarrod Bowen goal decides Europa Conference League final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  36. ^ "Cristiano Biraghi Wins February's Goal of the Month Presented by Crypto.com". Serie A. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  37. ^ "2022/23 Europa Conference League Team of the Season". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  38. ^ "2023/24 Europa Conference League Team of the Season". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
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  NODES
Association 2
INTERN 27
Note 1