Mattia Liberali

Mattia Liberali (born 6 April 2007) is an Italian footballer who plays as a winger for Italian club AC Milan U19.

Early life
Liberali was born in Carate Brianza, Italy.

Club career
In 2013, the manager of local amateur side Rhodense, 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.

International career
Liberali has represented Italy from under-15 to under-17 level.

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 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.

Honours
Italy U17
 * UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2024

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