# Mattia Liberali

Mattia Liberali (born 6 April 2007) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Serie A club AC Milan.
In October 2024, Liberali was included in The Guardian's list of the 60 best talents in the world born in 2007.

## Early life

Liberali was born in Carate Brianza, Italy.

## Club career

In 2013, the manager of local amateur side Rhodense [it], Alberto Bianchi, spotted Liberali and invited him to play in a youth tournament with a view to later sign him. However, he would participate at the tournament with Aquile della Brianza from Muggiò instead, spending a year with the side before joining La Dominante, who he would train during the week with, while playing with professional side AC Milan on weekends.
After a year of this arrangement, Liberali made the switch to AC Milan permanent. During the 2021–22 under-16 Scudetto tournament, he finished second-top scorer behind Francesco Camarda with nine goals, as AC Milan went on to win the competition. He was called up to train with the first team for the first time, alongside Camarda and Nirash Perera, in December 2022. The following year, in July 2023, he signed his first professional contract with the club through 2027.
Liberali joined AC Milan for their 2024–25 pre-season, displaying impressive performances during the friendly matches, including the headlining assist for a 1–0 win against Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid at the Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, United States, the club's third friendly match on 31 July 2024. He made his professional debut on 10 August 2024, starting for the newly created reserve team Milan Futuro, and scoring the first goal of a 3–0 away win Coppa Italia Serie C first round match against Lecco.
Liberali made his debut with AC Milan on 15 December 2024, starting on a 0–0 home draw Serie A match against Genoa, simultaneously celebrating the club's 125th anniversary.

## International career

Liberali has represented Italy at the under-15, under-16 and under-17 levels.

## Style of play

Initially a central defender while playing at 7-a-side level, Liberali was moved up the pitch in the academy of AC Milan, settling at left-wing, with Italy under-17 coach Massimiliano Favo [it] also utilising him as an attacking midfielder. Former AC Milan defender and current football pundit, Alessandro Costacurta, compared him with English international Phil Foden for their similar playing style.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 5 January 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | Europe | Europe | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Milan Futuro | 2024–25 | Serie C | 8 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 10 | 1 |
| AC Milan | 2024–25 | Serie A | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |

#### Notes

* ↑ Appearances in Coppa Italia Serie C

## Honours

Italy U17
* UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2024
Individual
* UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2024