Passions, idols and goals: 10 facts about Piotr Zieliński

Piotr Sebastian Zieliński was born in Ząbkowice Śląskie, Poland, on 20 May 1994. His professional career has always been in Italy: he arrived in the Udinese Youth Sector in 2011 making his senior debut in the 2012/13 season. After two years in Friuli, he moved to Empoli, before going to Napoli in 2016.

He played for the Partenopei for eight years, becoming a key part of the Scudetto-winning side in 2022/23: now he starts his adventure with the Nerazzurri.

Let's get to know Piotr Zieliński with ten interesting facts:

PASSION FOR TENNIS

Zieliński had always dreamed of becoming a professional footballer: from being little he was always playing with the ball, but if he hadn't been a footballer, he would have wanted to be a tennis player.

CHILDHOOD ICON

A midfielder with class and great technique, Piotr worked hard to get to such a high level, watching many great players and trying to learn from them. One in particular was his childhood icon: Tomáš Rosický, the elegant Czech midfielder who between 1998 and 2018 played for Sparta Praha, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, also playing four Euros and a World Cup with the Czechia (105 appearances and 23 goals).

NERRAZZURRI LEGENDS

Of the many legends that have worn the Inter shirt, there are two that Zieliński loves the most: Ô Fenomeno Ronaldo and Javier Zanetti. Piotr's first two seasons in Italy corresponded with the last two seasons of the historic Inter captain: interestingly, though, the two never played each other. In the five fixtures between the Nerazzurri and Udinese between 2012 and 2014, Zieliński did not play.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY

When he isn't playing football, Zieliński loves to spend time with his wife and son. Piotr also loves animals and has a labrador called Mia.

POP MUSIC

Of all the genres his listens to, Zieliński's favourite is pop.

THE FIRST POLE

In the 116 years of Inter, there has never been a Polish player: Zieliński will be the first Pole to wear the Nerazzurri shirt, a great source of pride for Piotr.

INTERNATIONAL CORNERSTONE

Zieliński is one of the most-often played Polish players: Piotr made his international debut in 2013 and has picked up 93 appearances and 12 goals in those 11 years, playing three Euros and two World Cups. He has also worn the captain's armband six times for Poland, an important milestone for Zieliński.

LEFT OR RIGHT?

One of Zieliński's main skills on the pitch is being able to shoot with either foot: an ability that was honed with much work and practice. From being a child, Piotr spent much time learning to be able to shoot with either foot, training at home with his dad.

THE BEST GOAL

The midfielder is the full package in both defence and attack, a free-kick specialist and capable of taking a shot from outside the box. Zieliński has scored 42 goals in Serie A, some of which have been masterful. It's not easy to choose, but according to Piotr, his best goal was during Napoli vs. Atalanta in 2017/28: after the Bergamaschi went ahead, Zieliński bagged a brilliant equaliser. He chested the ball down on the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot. Napoli came back to win the game 3-1.

PIOTR'S ITALY

So far, Zieliński's entire professional career has been played in Serie A: 12 seasons at Udinese, Empoli and Napoli before coming to Inter. Poitr has a special relationship with Inter and our culture which he loved everything about: the food, the climate and the many people who have helped him since he arrived here.