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Growing requires sacrifice and plenty of hard work, and you need to know how to bide your time and seize an opportunity as soon as it presents itself. That’s how Davide Frattesi’s career has developed so far: one step at a time, moving higher and higher. Now, he’s a Nerazzurro.

Born in Rome on 22 September 1999, Frattesi grew up in the district of Fidene, a place where you have to earn what you want. Davide took his first steps here, always accompanied by the idea of demonstrating his skills and talent through action. It’s here where he kicked a ball for the first time, a friend that hasn’t left him since. At the age of six, Frattesi became part of Lazio’s youth setup. However, football wasn’t his only passion: Davide played tennis and greatly admired the class of Roger Federer, who he wanted to be like. When he was ten, he trained three times a week at Lazio and twice a week with a racket in his hand. But his desire to play as part of a team ultimately trumped all else, and he decided to pursue a football career.

Davide has never been scared of responsibility. He was the Lazio captain at Giovanissimi level before crossing the Tiber to sign for Roma. He continued to make strides forward in Trigoria, winning a Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Primavera while learning from great champions in the process. He trained with the first team, seeing the determination of Kevin Strootman and the example set by Daniele De Rossi from up close.

However, he still had a long way to go. Frattesi moved to Sassuolo in 2017, but an injury kept him away from the pitch. An important opportunity came along as he joined Serie B side Ascoli for the 2018/19 season. He was a key figure in the Marches and continued his fine form the following campaign, again in the Italian second tier but this time for Empoli. Frattesi knows all about sacrifice and hard work, and he’s always looking to improve. Once, twice, ten times, 100 times: every gap needs to be filled.

An obsession that resulted in him joining Monza for the 2020/21 campaign. While at the Biancorossi, Davide chased Serie A football and also developed an eye for goal, bagging eight times in 39 matches. It was the definitive confirmation of his abilities: Sassuolo decided to retain him and build their midfield around his runs forward.

Davide’s forays towards the opposition box became a constant part of the Neroverdi’s game. Fast, precise with his passing and lethal in front of goal, Frattesi exploded as a player. He even scored twice against Inter while coming up against compatriot Nicolò Barella, who is someone he looks up to. He became part of the senior Italy setup in 2022 and scored his first goal for his country in the Nations League Final Four.