From being discarded by youth academies to becoming a Serie A star
In short: Most professional footballers follow a linear path to glory, but Lorenzo Lucca's journey involved being released by clubs and playing in the sixth tier. His ascent from the Italian lower leagues to the heights of Serie A and the national team is a remarkable study in persistence.
Born in Moncalojure on 10 September 2000, Lorenzo Lucca's early career was marked by significant setbacks. After moving to the Torino youth academy at age eight, he was eventually moved to Chieri, only to be discarded by the club. This period of uncertainty led him to Atletico Torino, where he made his senior debut at just 16 years old in the Italian sixth-tier, the Promozione, scoring two goals.
His professional trajectory gained momentum through a series of strategic moves. After a stint with Vicenza in 2018, Lucca joined Palermo in January 2020. It was with the Rosanero that he truly found his scoring touch; by February of the 2020–21 season, he had surpassed ten goals to become the team's top scorer. This form earned him a move to Pisa in July 2021, and later a historic loan to the Dutch giants Ajax in August 2022, where he became the first Italian player in the club's history.
The striker's career has been defined by both high-stakes transfers and moments of intense friction. While playing for Udinese, he sparked controversy in February 2025 by taking a penalty away from captain Florian Thauvin without consent, leading to his substitution by coach Kosta Runjaić. Despite such turbulence, his market value surged, leading to a massive transfer to Napoli in 2025 involving an obligation to buy for €26,000,000. His journey has also seen him represent the Italy national team, making his senior debut in a 4–1 Nations League victory against Israel in October 2024.
Lucca's path remains a complex web of loans and permanent moves, including a brief stint with Premier League side Nottingham Forest in early 2026. His ability to navigate the lower tiers of Italian football to reach the pinnacle of the sport remains a testament to his resilience.
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