{{Short description|Italian footballer (born 1997)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Matteo Pessina | image = Matteo Pessina (cropped).jpg | caption = Pessina in 2018 | full_name = Matteo Pessina<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legaseriea.it/uploads/default/attachments/comunicati/comunicati_m/8391/files/allegati/8487/cu265.pdf |title=Comunicato Ufficiale N. 265 |trans-title=Official Statement No. 265 |publisher=Lega Serie A |page=3 |date=16 July 2020 |access-date=14 June 2021 |language=it |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717071003/https://www.legaseriea.it/uploads/default/attachments/comunicati/comunicati_m/8391/files/allegati/8487/cu265.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|4|21|df=y}} | birth_place = Monza, Italy | height = 1.87 m<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.acmonza.com/it/player/150/|title=Matteo Pessina|publisher=AC Monza|access-date=31 August 2022|language=it}}</ref> | position = Midfielder | currentclub = Monza | clubnumber = 32 | youthyears1 = 2002–2007 | youthclubs1 = La Dominante | youthyears2 = 2007–2014 | youthclubs2 = Monza | years1 = 2013–2015 | clubs1 = Monza | caps1 = 22 | goals1 = 6 | years2 = 2015–2017 | clubs2 = AC Milan | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2015–2016 | clubs3 = → Lecce (loan) | caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2016 | clubs4 = → Catania (loan) | caps4 = 1 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2016–2017 | clubs5 = → Como (loan) | caps5 = 36 | goals5 = 9 | years6 = 2017–2023 | clubs6 = Atalanta | caps6 = 67 | goals6 = 3 | years7 = 2017–2018 | clubs7 = → Spezia (loan) | caps7 = 38 | goals7 = 2 | years8 = 2019–2020 | clubs8 = → Hellas Verona (loan) | caps8 = 35 | goals8 = 7 | years9 = 2022–2023 | clubs9 = → Monza (loan) | caps9 = 35 | goals9 = 5 | years10 = 2023– | clubs10 = Monza | caps10 = 81 | goals10 = 11 | nationalyears1 = 2015–2016 | nationalteam1 = Italy U19 | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2016–2017 | nationalteam2 = Italy U20 | nationalcaps2 = 12 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | nationalyears3 = 2017–2018 | nationalteam3 = Italy U21 | nationalcaps3 = 7 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2020–2023 | nationalteam4 = Italy | nationalcaps4 = 16 | nationalgoals4 = 5 | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|ITA}}}} {{Medal|Comp|UEFA European Championship|}} {{Medal|W|2020 Europe|}} {{MedalComp|CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions}} {{Medal|RU|2022 England|}} {{MedalCompetition|FIFA U-20 World Cup}} {{Medal|3rd|2017 South Korea}} | club-update = 8 May 2026 | nationalteam-update = }} '''Matteo Pessina''' {{postnominals|post-noms=Cavaliere OMRI}} (born 21 April 1997) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for and captains {{Italian football updater|Monza}} club Monza.
Coming through the youth system, Pessina started his career at Monza. He joined AC Milan in 2015, who sent him on loan to Lecce, Catania and Como. In 2017, he moved to Atalanta, and was loaned out twice to Spezia and then Hellas Verona. Pessina became a starter for Atalanta upon his return from loan in 2020. He returned to his hometown club Monza in 2022 and was made club captain.
Pessina represented Italy internationally at under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels, before making his senior debut in 2020. He was part of Italy's squad at UEFA Euro 2020, where he scored two goals to help his side win the competition.
==Club career==
=== Monza === Born in Monza, Italy, Pessina began his youth career at local club La Dominante aged five.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-06 |title=Calcio monza: Pessina ha firmato, è il nuovo capitano. Galliani "Adesso l'obiettivo è il 10° posto" |url=https://www.mbnews.it/2022/07/calcio-monza-capitano-simone-pessina-adriano-galliani/ |access-date=7 July 2022 |website=MBNews |language=it}}</ref> In 2007,<ref>{{Cite Instagram|postid=Cftgs-rN1GD|user=gazzettadellosport|title=2007–2022: l'inizio, l'arrivederci e il ritorno a casa di Matteo Pessina|date=7 July 2022|author=La Gazzetta dello Sport}}</ref> aged 10, Pessina joined Monza's youth sector.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bentornato Matteo Pessina - Associazione Calcio Monza S.p.A. |url=https://www.acmonza.com/it/news/3732/ |access-date=6 July 2022 |website=www.acmonza.com |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=CRIPPA |first=DARIO |date=2021-06-06 |title=Matteo, gli anni del Monza, la Nazionale Papà Pessina racconta l'ascesa del figlio |url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/monza-brianza/cronaca/matteo-gli-anni-del-monza-la-nazionale-papa-pessina-racconta-lascesa-del-figlio-ee58cda1 |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=Il Giorno |language=it}}</ref> He made his senior debut for Monza on 2 October 2013, in a Coppa Italia Lega Pro game against AlbinoLeffe.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Belotti |first=Marina |date=2021-08-17 |title=Nerazzurri. Otto cose che non sapete di Matteo Pessina |url=https://bergamo.corriere.it/atalanta/21_agosto_17/nerazzurri-otto-cose-che-non-sapete-matteo-pessina-9a62dfba-ff35-11eb-afac-f8935f82f718.shtml |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it}}</ref>
Pessina was made a permanent member of the first team in the 2014–15 season;<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2015 |title=Pessina si presenta: "Al Milan perché c'è un progetto migliore dell'Inter. Pronto per giocarmi le mie carte" |work=SpazioMilan |url=https://www.spaziomilan.it/2015/06/pessina_milan_inter_monza/ |access-date=25 October 2020 |publisher=www.spaziomilan.it |language=Italian |author1=Redazione }}</ref> he made his league debut on 6 January 2015, in which he also scored a goal, against Pro Patria.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-07 |title=Monza-Pro Patria 2-2. I calciatori "fanno le valigie" (oltre a comprarsi il cibo!) |url=https://www.mbnews.it/2015/01/monza-pro-patria-2-2-i-calciatori-fanno-le-valigie/ |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=MBNews |language=it}}</ref> Pessina finished the season with three goals in 20 appearances in the regular season of the Lega Pro, as well as three goals in two games in the relegation play-outs, won against Pordenone.<ref name="SW" />
=== AC Milan === Despite avoiding relegation, Monza was forced to restart from the Serie D due to a bankruptcy: Pessina became a free agent, and was signed by AC Milan on 30 June 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2015 |title=Milan: Galliani aiuta gli ex dipendenti del Monza, versando 20mila euro per lo svincolato Pessina |url=https://calcio.fanpage.it/milan-galliani-aiuta-gli-ex-dipendenti-del-monza-versando-20mila-euro-per-lo-svincolato-pessina/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Calcio Fanpage |language=it}}</ref>
==== Loans to Lecce, Catania and Como ==== Pessina was promptly sent on loan to Lecce in the Lega Pro in August 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFFICIALE: Pessina in prestito al Lecce |url=https://www.milannews.it/calciomercato-milan/ufficiale-pessina-in-prestito-al-lecce-184245 |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=Milan News |language=it}}</ref> During the 2015–16 season, Pessina was used infrequently: he only made one appearance in the Coppa Italia Lega Pro and three in the league.<ref name="SW" />
In January 2016, the loan was interrupted and Pessina was loaned out to Catania.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 January 2016 |title=Il centrocampista Matteo Pessina dal Milan al Catania, a titolo temporaneo |url=http://calciocatania.it/article.php?id=32224&l= |accessdate=19 January 2016 |work=calciocatania.it |publisher=Calcio Catania |language=it}}</ref> Even in his second loan spell, he was used infrequently, playing only one league game in the second half of the season.<ref name="SW" />
In summer 2016, Pessina was loaned out to Como.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 July 2016 |title=Al Como la mezzala Matteo Pessina |trans-title=Midfielder Matteo Pessina to Como |url=http://www.calciocomo1907.it/news_details.php?id_news=2705 |url-status=dead |work=calciocomo1907.it |publisher=Calcio Como |accessdate=16 July 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807143049/http://www.calciocomo1907.it/news_details.php?id_news=2705 |archivedate=7 August 2016}}</ref> He played as a starter in the 2016–17 season, making two appearances in the Coppa Italia, three in the Coppa Italia Lega Pro, 35 in the league (scoring nine goals) and one in the promotion play-offs.<ref name="SW" />
=== Atalanta === On 7 July 2017, Pessina signed a contract with Atalanta,<ref>{{cite web |date=7 July 2017 |title=Ecco Matteo Pessina |url=https://www.atalanta.it/site/paginalive/comunicati-dal-club/Stagione-2017-2018/2017-07/07-07-Calciomercato-ingaggiato-Pessina.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710174322/http://www.atalanta.it/site/paginalive/comunicati-dal-club/Stagione-2017-2018/2017-07/07-07-Calciomercato-ingaggiato-Pessina.html |archive-date=10 July 2017 |access-date=27 August 2017 |publisher=Atalanta B.C. |language=Italian}}</ref> as part of a swap deal involving Andrea Conti moving the other way.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atalanta, dal Milan è arrivato Pessina. Castagne prelevato dai belgi del Genk |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Atalanta/07-07-2017/atalanta-milan-arrivato-pessina-castagne-prelevato-belgi-genk-210123019055.shtml |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport - Tutto il rosa della vita |language=it}}</ref>
==== Loan to Spezia ==== On 25 August 2017, Pessina was signed on loan by Serie B side Spezia.<ref>{{cite web |date=25 August 2017 |title=Matteo Pessina allo Spezia |url=https://www.atalanta.it/site/paginalive/comunicati-dal-club/Stagione-2017-2018/2017-08/25-08-pessina-spezia.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827170156/https://www.atalanta.it/site/paginalive/comunicati-dal-club/Stagione-2017-2018/2017-08/25-08-pessina-spezia.html |archive-date=27 August 2017 |access-date=27 August 2017 |publisher=Atalanta B.C. |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mercato: Matteo Pessina nuovo centrocampista aquilotto |url=https://www.speziacalcio.com/news/mercato-matteo-pessina-nuovo-centrocampista-aquilotto.16599.html |date=25 August 2017 |access-date=27 August 2017 |website=Spezia Calcio - Sito ufficiale}}</ref> He scored his first Serie B goal against Salernitana on 23 February 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 February 2018 |title=Serie B Spezia-Salernitana 3-0. È giallo sul primo gol di Pessina |url=https://corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-b/2018/02/23-38971668/serie_b_spezia-salernitana_3-0_e_giallo_sul_primo_gol_di_pessina |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=corrieredellosport.it |language=it}}</ref> Due to his performances, having scored two goals in 38 appearances, Pessina was nominated Best Young Player of the Serie B at the Serie B Gran Galà Top 11.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-19 |title=Un centrocampista nato a Monzello miglior giovane della Serie B |url=http://www.monza-news.it/breaking/exmonza-un-centrocampista-nato-a-monzello-miglior-giovane-della-serie-b-24305 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719203446/http://www.monza-news.it/breaking/exmonza-un-centrocampista-nato-a-monzello-miglior-giovane-della-serie-b-24305 |archive-date=2018-07-19 |access-date=2022-07-05}}</ref>
==== Return to Atalanta ==== In summer 2018, Pessina returned to Atalanta.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Redazione |date=28 November 2018 |title=Gasp ha un jolly: è il momento di Matteo Pessina |url=https://www.calcioatalanta.it/2018/11/28/gasp-ha-un-jolly-e-il-momento-di-matteo-pessina/ |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=Calcio Atalanta |language=it-IT}}</ref> He made his debut on 26 July, playing the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League as a starter, in a 2–2 home draw against Sarajevo; it was also his debut in UEFA club competition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pessina stupisce, per Zapata e Tumminello serve tempo |url=https://www.pressreader.com/italy/corriere-della-sera-bergamo/20180728/281719795384348 |access-date=5 July 2022 |via=PressReader}}</ref>
He made his Serie A debut on 20 August 2018, aged 21, replacing Mario Pašalić in the second half of the first matchday, a 4–0 home win against Frosinone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Redazione |date=21 August 2018 |title=Esordio in Serie A per Pessina, il centrocampista del futuro |url=https://www.calcioatalanta.it/2018/08/21/pessina-esordio-centrocampista-futuro/ |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=Calcio Atalanta |language=it-IT}}</ref> He made 19 appearances in all competitions, including five in the preliminary rounds of the Europa League and two in the Coppa Italia.<ref name="SW" />
==== Loan to Hellas Verona ==== In August 2019, Pessina joined newly-promoted Serie A side Hellas Verona on loan with an option to buy.<ref>{{cite web |title=UFFICIALE: Hellas Verona, dall'Atalanta arriva Pessina |url=https://archivio.tuttomercatoweb.com/archivio-2019/ufficiale-hellas-verona-dall-atalanta-arriva-pessina-1284431 |access-date=27 August 2019 |website=TuttoMercatoWeb |language=it}}</ref> On his debut, six days later, he scored his first Serie A goal in a 1–0 win against Lecce in the second matchday.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pessina beffa Liverani: il Verona vince a Lecce 1-0 |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Lecce/01-09-2019/pessina-beffa-liverani-verona-vince-lecce-1-0-3402150906764.shtml |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT}}</ref> Pessina ended the 2019–20 season with seven goals in 35 league appearances.<ref name="SW" />
==== Starter at Atalanta ==== After returning from loan in summer 2020, Pessina made his UEFA Champions League debut with Atalanta on 21 October, in a 4–0 win against Midtjylland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2020 |title=Debutto in Champions: bentornato Pessina! {{!}} Atalanta |url=https://www.atalanta.it/news/miranchuk-esordio-in-nerazzurro-con-gol-duplicate-1 |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=Atalanta |language=it}}</ref> Starting from November, Pessina started finding more space in Atalanta's starting lineup;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dall'Agnol |first=Sandro |date=2020-12-03 |title=La scalata di Pessina: così prova a prendersi l'Atalanta |url=https://www.calcionews24.com/pessina-atalanta-centrocampista-calciomercato-serie-a/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Calcio News 24 |language=it-IT}}</ref> on 3 January 2021, he scored his first goal with Atalanta, in a 5–1 home win over Sassuolo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 January 2020 |title=Atalanta-Sassuolo 5-1: doppietta di Zapata, gol di Pessina, Gosens, Muriel e Chiriches |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/03-01-2021/atalanta-sassuolo-5-1-doppietta-zapata-gol-pessina-gosens-muriel-chiriches-3902187429305.shtml |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT}}</ref> In the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final, he scored a brace in a 3–1 win against Napoli, which allowed Atalanta to progress to the final.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 February 2021 |title=Atalanta defeat Napoli, will face Juventus in Coppa Italia final |work=DAZN |url=https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/soccer/atalanta-defeat-napoli-will-face-juventus-in-coppa-italia-final/145jueyiogvbg18bdgemrdbuvc |access-date=5 June 2021 }}</ref> On 29 September 2021, he scored the sole goal in a win against Young Boys on the second matchday of the Champions League group stage:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-29 |title=UCL Atalanta-BSC Young Boys 1-0 |url=https://www.atalanta.it/news/ucl-atalanta-bsc-young-boys-1-0/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Atalanta |language=it-IT}}</ref> it was his first goal in a UEFA competition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-30 |title=UCL un gol storico per Matteo Pessina |url=https://www.atalanta.it/news/ucl-un-gol-storico-per-matteo-pessina/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Atalanta |language=it-IT}}</ref>
=== Monza === On 6 July 2022, Pessina returned to his former club Monza, who had been promoted to the Serie A for the first time in their history; he joined on a one-year loan, with an option and conditional obligation for purchase, and was made club captain.<ref name=":0" />
He made his debut on 26 August, as a substitute in a 2–1 home defeat to Udinese.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Il Monza perde in casa con l'Udinese, è già crisi? |url=https://www.mbnews.it/fotogallery/il-monza-perde-in-casa-con-ludinese-e-gia-crisi/ |access-date=27 August 2022 |website=MBNews |language=it}}</ref> On 2 October, Pessina scored his first Serie A goal for Monza in a 3–0 away win to Sampdoria.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pessina si sblocca e il Monza vince ancora: buio pesto Sampdoria |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Sampdoria/02-10-2022/sampdoria-monza-gol-pessina-caprari-sensi-partita-450449516299.shtml |date=2 October 2022 |access-date=3 October 2022 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT}}</ref>
==International career==
=== Youth === Pessina was a member of the Italy U20 side that finished in third place at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.<ref name="FIFA 2017 U20 WC">{{cite web |date=19 May 2017 |title=News - Verso il Mondiale. Ufficializzati i nomi dei 21 Azzurrini, domenica sera raduno a Roma |url=http://www.figc.it/it/204/2537620/2017/05/News.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519214906/http://www.figc.it/it/204/2537620/2017/05/News.shtml |archive-date=19 May 2017 |accessdate=12 November 2020 |publisher=Figc |language=it}}</ref> He made his debut with the U21 team on 5 October 2017, in a 6–2 friendly win against Hungary in Budapest.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hungary U21 - Italy U21 results 05.10.2017 - Foot Live|url=http://www.footlive.com/score/hungary-u21-vs-italy-u21-2017-10-05/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=footlive.com|date=5 October 2017}}</ref>
=== Senior === Pessina was called up to the Italy senior squad by manager Roberto Mancini in November 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=FIGC |date=2020-11-09 |title=Mancini convoca anche Bastoni, Ferrari e Zaccagni. Alle 16 primo allenamento |trans-title=Mancini calls up Bastoni, Ferrari, and Zaccagni. First training session at 4 PM. |url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/mancini-convoca-anche-bastoni-ferrari-e-zaccagni-alle-16-primo-allenamento |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio |language=en}}</ref> and made his senior debut for Italy on 11 November, featuring as a substitute in a 4–0 friendly win against Estonia in Florence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FIGC |date=2020-11-11 |title=A Grifo brace and goals from Bernardeschi and Orsolini secure a comfortable win against Estonia |url=https://www.figc.it/en/national-teams/news/a-grifo-brace-and-goals-from-bernardeschi-and-orsolini-secure-a-comfortable-win-against-estonia/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://forzaitalianfootball.com/2020/11/new-look-italy-secure-routine-win-over-estonia/ |title=New look Italy secure routine win over Estonia |website=Forza Italian Football |date=11 November 2020 |accessdate=11 November 2020 }}</ref> On 28 May 2021, Pessina scored his first goal for Italy in the 75th minute of a 7–0 home win in a friendly against San Marino; he scored a second goal in the 87th minute.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-28 |title=Italy 7-0 San Marino: Pessina and Politano with two each - Football Italia |url=https://football-italia.net/italy-7-0-san-marino-pessina-and-politano-braces/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=football-italia.net |language=en-GB}}</ref> In June 2021, he was included in Italy's preliminary squad for UEFA Euro 2020 by manager Roberto Mancini, but he was initially left out of the final 26-man squad for the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/mancini-names-uncapped-striker-raspadori-final-italy-euro-2020-squad-2021-06-01/ |title=Mancini names uncapped striker Raspadori in final Italy Euro 2020 squad |work=Reuters |date=1 June 2021 |access-date=5 June 2021 }}</ref> However, following an injury to Stefano Sensi, Pessina was called up to the tournament in his place.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://football-italia.net/italy-injured-sensi-out-of-euro-2020/ |title=Italy: Injured Sensi out of Euro 2020 |publisher=Football Italia |last1=Bettoni |first1=Lorenzo |date=3 June 2021 |access-date=5 June 2021 }}</ref> He made his first appearance in the tournament as a late substitute in Italy's group match against Switzerland on 16 June, a 3–0 win for Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51197561|title=Italy 3–0 Switzerland|work=BBC Sport|date=16 June 2021|access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> He then started in the match against Wales on 20 June, scoring the only goal of the match in the team's 1–0 victory in Rome; the result allowed them to top their group.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51197631 |title=Wales in last 16 despite defeat in Rome |work=BBC Sport |last1=Pritchard |first1=Dafydd |date=20 June 2021 |access-date=20 June 2021 }}</ref> On 26 June, after coming off the bench for Nicolò Barella, Pessina scored the match-winning goal in a 2–1 win in extra-time over Austria in the round of 16, which allowed Italy to progress to the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51198511 |title=Italy need extra time to beat Austria |work=BBC Sport |date=26 June 2021 |access-date=26 June 2021 }}</ref> On 11 July, Pessina won the European Championship with Italy following a 3–2 penalty shoot-out victory over England at Wembley Stadium in the final, after a 1–1 draw in extra-time.<ref name="Euro2020Final">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51198762|title=England lose shootout in Euro 2020 final |first=Phil |last=McNulty|work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |date=11 July 2021 |access-date=11 July 2021 }}</ref> On 20 November 2022, Pessina came on as a substitute in a 2–0 friendly defeat to Austria, becoming Monza's first-ever player to play for the Italy national team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-19 |title=Pessina: "Che ricordi il gol all'Austria e la vittoria dell'Europeo. Orgoglioso per il Monza" |trans-title=Pessina: "What memories, the goal against Austria and the victory in the European Championship. Proud of Monza." |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale/19-11-2022/nazionale-pessina-che-ricordi-gol-austria-vittoria-europeo-orgoglioso-il-monza-4501183005396.shtml |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Matteo Pessina in campo con l'Italia: è il primo calciatore del Monza - Associazione Calcio Monza S.p.A. |trans-title=Matteo Pessina on the field with Italy: he is the first player from Monza - Associazione Calcio Monza S.p.A. |url=https://www.acmonza.com/it/news/matteo-pessina-primo-giocatore-monza-italia/ |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=www.acmonza.com |language=it}}</ref> He became the inaugural ''Biancorosso'' to score for the national side, netting Italy's second goal in a 2-0 win over Malta in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier on March 26, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campanale |first=Susy |date=March 26, 2023 |title=Pessina 'didn't know' he made Italy history with Monza |url=https://football-italia.net/pessina-didnt-know-he-made-italy-history-with-monza/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |website=Football Italia}}</ref>
==Style of play== Primarily an offensive-minded central midfielder, known as the ''mezzala'' role in Italian football jargon, Pessina is also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or even as a winger. A left-footed player,<ref name=":1" /> he possesses good technique, and is known for his ability to create chances for teammates or make late attacking runs off the ball into the penalty area; he is also known for his defensive qualities and work-rate.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pucciarelli |first=Giuseppe |date=9 August 2018 |title=Fantacalcio Serie A 2018/19: alla scoperta di... Pessina |url=https://www.mondosportivo.it/2018/08/09/fantacalcio-serie-a-2018-2019-alla-scoperta-matteo-pessina-centrocampista-trequartista-atalanta-scheda-caratteristiche-consigli-asta/ |access-date=20 June 2021 |website=MondoSportivo |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=11 February 2021 |title=La partita in cui Matteo Pessina si è preso la scena |url=https://www.ultimouomo.com/matteo-pessina-stupito-tutti-atalanta-napoli-coppa-italia/ |access-date=20 June 2021 |publisher=L'Ultimo Uomo |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pasotto |first1=Marco |date=20 June 2021 |title=Pessina: "Una partita perfetta, non dormirò per qualche settimana" |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Europei/20-06-2021/italia-pessina-una-partita-perfetta-non-dormiro-qualche-settimana-4102152915815.shtml |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT}}</ref> In his position, he has been likened to midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard for his surging runs and eye for goal. He has cited both English midfielders among his idols growing up.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matteo Pessina: The Chelsea-supporting, ballet-loving student helping Atalanta get over Papu Gomez {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/matteo-pessina-chelsea-supporting-ballet-loving-student-atalanta-/77996v00w32x1psirta28t10g|access-date=2021-07-02|website=www.goal.com}}</ref>
== Personal life == Pessina studied economics at the LUISS Business School in Rome, Italy.<ref name=":1" />
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 29 May 2026}}<ref name="SW">{{Soccerway|305841|access-date=22 October 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Coppa Italia !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|Monza |2013–14 |Lega Pro 2D |0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in Coppa Italia Lega Pro|name=CILP}}||0||3||0 |- |2014–15 |Lega Pro |20||3||0||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|One appearance in Coppa Italia Lega Pro, two appearances and three goals in Lega Pro relegation play-outs}}||3||23||6 |- !colspan="2"|Total !20!!3!!0!!0!!0!!0!!6!!3!!26!!6 |- |rowspan="3"|AC Milan |2015–16 |rowspan="2"|Serie A |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2016–17 |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 |- |Lecce (loan) |2015–16 |Lega Pro |3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=CILP}}||0||4||0 |- |Catania (loan) |2015–16 |Lega Pro |1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|name=CILP}}||0||6||0 |- |Como (loan) |2016–17 |Lega Pro |35||9||2||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|Appearances in Lega Pro promotion play-offs}}||0||41||9 |- |rowspan="6"|Atalanta |2017–18 |rowspan="5"|Serie A |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2018–19 |12||0||2||0||5{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||19||0 |- |2019–20 |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2020–21 |28||2||5||2||7{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||40||4 |- |2021–22 |27||1||2||0||8{{efn|Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||1||colspan="2"|—||37||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !67!!3!!9!!2!!20!!1!!0!!0!!96!!6 |- |Spezia (loan) |2017–18 |Serie B |38||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||38||2 |- |Hellas Verona (loan) |2019–20 |Serie A |35||7||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||7 |- |Monza (loan) |2022–23 |rowspan="3"|Serie A |35||5||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||5 |- |rowspan="4"|Monza |2023–24 |37||6||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||38||6 |- |2024–25 |11||0||2||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||1 |- |2025–26 |Serie B |33||5||1||0||colspan="2"|—||4{{efn|Appearances in Serie B promotion play-offs}}||0||38||5 |- !colspan="2"|Total !116!!16!!5!!1!!0!!0!!4!!0!!125!!17 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !315!!40!!18!!3!!20!!1!!18!!3!!371!!47 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 26 March 2023}}<ref name="SW"/>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="4"|Italy |2020||1||0 |- |2021||10||4 |- |2022||4||0 |- |2023||1||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!16!!5 |}
:''Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Pessina goal.''
{| class="wikitable" |+ List of international goals scored by Matteo Pessina |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Cap !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- | align="center"|1 || rowspan="2"|28 May 2021 || rowspan="2"|Sardegna Arena, Cagliari, Italy || rowspan="2" align="center"| 5 || rowspan="2" |{{fb|SMR}} || align="center"|5–0 || align="center" rowspan="2"|7–0 || rowspan="2"|Friendly |- | align="center"|2 || align="center"|7–0 |- | align="center"|3 || 20 June 2021 || Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy || align="center"|7 || {{fb|WAL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || |UEFA Euro 2020 |- | align="center"|4 || 26 June 2021 || Wembley Stadium, London, England || align="center"|8 || {{fb|AUT}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–1 {{aet}} || UEFA Euro 2020 |- | align="center"|5 || 26 March 2023 || National Stadium, Attard, Malta || align="center"|16 || {{fb|Malta}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |}
==Honours== '''Italy U20''' * FIFA U-20 World Cup third place: 2017<ref name="FIFA 2017 U20 WC"/>
'''Italy''' * UEFA European Championship: 2020<ref name="Euro2020Final"/>
'''Orders''' :*left|50px 5th Class / Knight: ''Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana'': 2021<ref>{{cite web |date=16 July 2021 |title=Mattarella ha conferito onorificenze motu proprio ai giocatori e allo staff della Nazionale vincitrice del campionato europeo |url=https://quirinale.it/elementi/59113 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716185328/https://quirinale.it/elementi/59113 |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=16 July 2021 |publisher=quirinale.it |language=it}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{FIGC Italy U19 player|46001}} * {{FIGC Italy U20 player|46001}} * {{FIGC Italy U21 player|46001}} * {{FIGC Italy player|46001}} * {{NFT player|80321}}
{{AC Monza squad}} {{Italy squad UEFA Euro 2020}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pessina, Matteo}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:People from Brianza Category:Footballers from Monza Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Italian men's footballers Category:AC Monza players Category:AC Milan players Category:US Lecce players Category:Catania FC players Category:Como 1907 players Category:Atalanta BC players Category:Spezia Calcio players Category:Hellas Verona FC players Category:Serie C players Category:Serie B players Category:Serie A players Category:Italy men's youth international footballers Category:Italy men's under-21 international footballers Category:Italy men's international footballers Category:UEFA Euro 2020 players Category:UEFA European Championship–winning players Category:European champions for Italy Category:Knights of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Category:21st-century Italian sportsmen