The goalkeeper once hailed as the successor to a legend
In short: In the early 2010s, Italian football saw a rising star in Mattia Perin. With incredible agility and a style reminiscent of Walter Zenga, he was tipped to inherit the mantle from Gianluigi Buffon. Yet, a career defined by immense promise was frequently interrupted by physical setbacks.
Born in Latina in 1992, Perin rose through the Genoa youth system, earning a promotion to the first team in January 2010. As a young keeper, he was noted for his athletic, dynamic style, characterized by excellent reactions and a remarkable ability to spring to the ground. His physical profile—standing 1.88 m tall—combined with a long reach and great bravery, led many in the media to view him as a potential successor to the legendary Gianluigi Buffon. His early accolades included being named to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the tournament in 2009. During his time at Genoa, he also spent two seasons on loan at Padova and Pescara to gain experience.
However, the trajectory of his career was often shaped by significant injuries. In January 2017, a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Later, in April 2019, a shoulder injury hampered his time at Juventus. These physical struggles, alongside a period of being a fourth-choice goalkeeper, prevented him from maintaining the consistent playing time required to reach his full potential. A knee injury in April 2016, involving both the meniscus and the cruciate ligament, even cost him a place in the Italy squad for Euro 201<0xC2>6. His professional debut actually occurred in May 2011 during a victory over Cesena.
Perin's career has also been marked by notable transfers and international milestones. After a high-profile €12 million move to Juventus in June 2018, he experienced both the highs of winning a league title and the lows of being excluded from Champions League squads. On the international stage, he was the youngest member of Italy's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, eventually making his senior debut in November 2014 against Albania. Beyond his time in Turin, he returned to Genoa on loan for the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons. Most recently, he signed a multi-year deal with Palermo in August 2026.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Mattia Perin
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-mattia-perin.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
