Getting to know Raffaele Di Gennaro: 10 fun facts

Inter's new goalkeeper, Raffaele Di Gennaro, was born in Saronno on 3 October 1993. He took up football at the age of five with Prealpi, a team run by the local parish in his hometown. When he was 9, he was spotted at a youth tournament and came to the Club, spending eleven years in the Nerazzurri's youth sector.

2012 was an unforgettable year for Raffaele, winning the Primavera title and the historic triumph in the NextGen Series. His progress was hindered due to several injuries, keeping him away from the pitch for some time. In 2013, though, he made his professional senior debut with Cittadella. He then went on to appear for Latina, Ternana and Spezia, before returning to Inter in 2018. Spells at Catanzaro and Pescara preceded a transfer to Gubbio in the summer of 2022, where he was one of the Umbrians outstanding players last season helping them to fight for promotion to Serie B through the Serie C playoffs. Out of 34 league appearances, he collected 20 clean sheets and was named the best goalkeeper in Serie C’s Group B.

Nerazzurri shirt collector

His Inter story began at the age of nine and carried on for eleven years in the youth sector, where he managed to have lots of success, satisfaction and collect many shirts. The one he is most connected to is the first one he wore just after arriving.

Debut at San Siro at nine years old!

His first memory of San Siro coincides with his debut at the stadium, as a player at only nine years of age. The match in question was between the A and B team of the Under-10s in 2002 before Inter vs. Lazio. Raffaele still remembers the grass at the "Meazza", a full stadium and his legs that trembled thanks to the occasion.

Julio Cesar

In the years he passed through the youth sector, the legend he was most inspired by was none other than Julio Cesar, who in those years won everything, including the triple.

Facing Milito

Out of all the great players he's had the honour to play with and face in training, the one he most fondly prizes is Diego Milito. Di Gennaro still remembers how it was impossible to beat "Il Principe" in a one-on-one situation.

Best save

Raffaele was a key member of the 2012 Primavera side that won the league title and NextGen Series. He has no doubts what the best save in his career to date is: Veltman's penalty in the shootout after extra-time in the final against Ajax, which proved decisive.

The triumph in Next Gen against Ajax

For Di Gennaro, that triumph was a dream come true, an unforgettable day. And he still has not forgotten the starting line-up, and probably never will: Di Gennaro; Pecorini, Kysela, Spendlhofer, Mbaye; Crisetig, Duncan; Romanò, Bessa, Longo; Livaja.

Facing Inter for the first time

Fate can be unexplainable and inconceivable at times. In 2013, Raffaele made his professional senior debut with Cittadella, and his first match was Inter at San Siro in the third round of the Coppa Italia. It was unbelievably exciting and emotional game for him, that ended with a long hug on the pitch with Esteban Cambiasso.

Passion for Cinema

Off the field, his favourite pasttime is relaxing at the cinema watching a film or two.

Favourite song

Raffaele's favourite song is Tiziano Ferro's "Il regalo più grande", which is one of the singers most celebrated song.

Father to be

Raffaele's dream of coming back to Inter has come full circle. But it isn't the only exciting news recently. In fact, he will also become a father in a few months' time, capping off what is a magical period in his life.