Nicola Zalewski

Club career Roma Zalewski (left) playing for Roma against Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 during a UEFA Europa League match. Zalewski made his professional debut for Roma on 6 May 2021 in the Europa League semi-final against Manchester United, replacing Pedro at the 76th minute and being instrumental to the winning goal, an own goal by Alex Telles, seven minutes later. He made his Serie A debut three days later, on 9 May, during a home game against Crotone. On 29 December, Roma announced his contract had been extended until 2025.

On 28 February 2022, he first played as a starter for Roma in their 1–0 win against Spezia. On 12 March 2023, he scored the first goal in his senior career in a 3–4 loss against Sassuolo Calcio. On 3 June 2023, he scored a goal in a 2–1 victory over Spezia. On 12 December 2024, he played the full 90 minutes and registered an assist in a Europa League group stage match against Braga, which concluded in Roma's 3–0 victory.

Inter Milan On 1 February 2025, Zalewski joined fellow Serie A team Inter Milan on loan, with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. The initial loan was reported to be a fee of €600,000, with the buy option at €6.5m. The following day, Zalewski made his debut for the club in the Milan derby, coming on as a substitute for Federico Dimarco in the 76th minute. He later assisted Stefan de Vrij’s equaliser in stoppage time. Zalewski scored his first goal for Inter in an away match against Torino on 11 May 2025 which Inter won 2–0. Zalewski's goal was the opening goal of that match.

On 23 June 2025, Inter officially exercised their option to buy, making the transfer permanent.

Atalanta On 18 August 2025, Zalewski signed a four-year contract with Serie A club Atalanta, joining the team for a reported transfer fee of €17 million.

On 14 September 2025, Zalewski scored his first goal in Atalanta colours, with a right footed shot from outside the box in the 70th minute. He also assisted teammate Giorgio Scalvini earlier in the match. However, just one week later against Torino, Zalewski was forced off by an injury in the 10th minute, being replaced by Raoul Bellanova.

International career Zalewski was born in Italy but has never applied for Italian citizenship, having an unlimited right to live and work in Italy in virtue of his EU citizenship. He was first selected by the youth selections of the Poland national team after being discovered by Zbigniew Boniek, head of the Polish Football Association and former Roma player. He made his debut for the senior team on 5 September 2021, in the World Cup Qualifier against San Marino where he came on in 66th minute and assisted Adam Buksa in the 94th minute who made it 7–1 for Poland.

On 7 June 2024, Zalewski was called up for UEFA Euro 2024. Three days later, he scored his first goal for Poland in a friendly against Turkey, dribbling down from the wing past two defenders and hitting a strike inside the box in the 90th minute to set the final score to 2–1.

On 5 September 2024, Zalewski scored a last-gasp penalty against Scotland in the group stage of the UEFA Nations League to win the game 3–2 in Poland's favour. The following month, he also scored in a 3–3 draw against Croatia in the same competition.

Personal life Zalewski was born in Tivoli to Polish parents and grew up in Poli. His father, Krzysztof Zalewski, died of cancer on 24 September 2021.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Poland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zalewski goal. Inter Milan UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2024–25 Supercoppa Italiana runner-up: 2024–25 Individual Polish Newcomer of the Year: 2022 Golden Boy Web: 2022