'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The last 12 months have seen the resurgence of Italy as a footballing powerhouse. After the embarrassment of failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Azzurri bounced back by winning Euro 2020. On the domestic front, parity was restored as Juventus' decade of dominance rapidly unraveled at the hands of the Milan clubs.
Meanwhile, Jorginho made history by becoming the first Italy star to secure a top three finish in the Ballon d'Or voting since Fabio Cannavaro's famous win in 2006.
Italy's stars continued to impress at Europe's biggest clubs in 2021
Although Serie A teams continue to be thwarted in the Champions League, Italy's players are flourishing as far as individual performances are concerned. From being part of high-profile transfers to scoring crucial goals for their club teams, the Azzurri's stars caught the eye this year. That said, we rank the five best Italy stars in 2021*.
*Please note that these rankings are not restricted to national team performances. Club displays have also been taken into account.
#5 Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)
Despite his diminutive stature, Insigne was a menace for defenders in 2021. Billed as the shortest player at Euro 2020, the Napoli star marauded down the flank as Italy clinched continental glory.
With 19 goals and eight assists for Napoli in the 2020-21 season, he finished just outside the top 5 scorers in Serie A. Barring Ciro Immobile (with just one more league goal), no Italian player netted more times than Insigne last season.
Insigne edges out Immobile on our list thanks to his strong Euro 2020 campaign. The crafty winger scored twice, including one of the goals of the tournament in the quarterfinal against Belgium. With four goals and five assists already this season, the Italy star is showing no signs of slowing down.
#4 Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)
Marco Verratti's injury issues remained his biggest weakness in 2021, but when he was available, the Italy star was unplayable. Despite being a doubt ahead of Euro 2020 because of a knee knock, Verratti recovered and played an instrumental role in the Azzurri's triumph.
At club level, Paris Saint-Germain and Verratti suffered a disappointing 2020-21 league campaign, surrendering the Ligue 1 title to Lille. Things might have been different had the Parisians been able to count on the services of Verratti, who missed 17 of the team's 38 league games. Nonetheless, the Italy midfielder's elegance and industry are as potent as ever.
#3 Federico Chiesa (Juventus)
Touted as Italy's next big thing, Federico Chiesa announced his arrival to the world with an electric display at Euro 2020. Despite being used off the bench, the Juventus winger scored two goals in the knockout stages that were not only stunning to watch but also of crucial importance. He was eventually named in the Euro 2020 team of the tournament.
Chiesa was also one of the very few bright spots in a horrific 2020-21 season for Juventus. He made 43 appearances, scoring 14 times and assisting ten goals for the Bianconeri while catching the eye with his direct dribbling and penetration. At 24, he is expected to make another big jump in 2022.
#2 Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
What a year it has been for Italy's superstar shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma. It began with him being named Serie A's Goalkeeper of the Year for 2020-21 after keeping 14 clean sheets to help AC Milan to a second-place league finish. Donnarumma then starred as Italy won Euro 2020. He was named Player of the Tournament after coming out on top in two consecutive penalty shootouts against Spain and England in the semifinal and final respectively.
The 22-year-old followed it up by sealing a dream free transfer to French giants PSG. Despite a stuttering start to life in Paris, Donnarumma ended the year on a high by winning the Lev Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper of the year at the Ballon d'Or gala.
#1 Jorginho (Chelsea)
Despite the intense debate around his Ballon d'Or candidature, there is no denying that Jorginho was absolutely sensational in 2021. The playmaker's influence extends beyond stats and numbers and his importance isn't measured in goals. He was the engine of teams that won the two biggest trophies of the year - Italy's Euro 2020 win and Chelsea's Champions League triumph.
Calm, composed and assured in possession, Jorginho offers a balance and fluidity that is reminiscent of Spain's great midfielders of the past. It is no surprise that Chelsea's recent hiccups have coincided with the 30-year-old's poor form. Nonetheless, Jorginho's relaxed, languid effectiveness continues to provide an extra dimension to Chelsea and Italy's combative and hard-nosed approach.
