Raoul Bellanova

Raoul Bellanova (born 17 May 2000) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a right wing-back for Serie A club Atalanta and the Italy national team.

Club career Bordeaux In July 2019, Bellanova was officially presented as a Bordeaux player. On 10 August 2019, he made his debut in senior football, starting in the opening match of the 2019–20 Ligue 1 season against Angers. Having made several positioning mistakes that led to three goals from his right flank, he was subbed off 63 minutes into the game by the team's coach Paulo Sousa.

Loan moves to Atalanta and Pescara On 30 January 2020, Bellanova joined Atalanta on a 1.5-year loan with an option to purchase. He made his Serie A debut on 14 July in a 6–2 victory against Brescia.

On 24 September 2020, Atalanta loaned him to Serie B club Pescara.

Cagliari On 31 August 2021, he joined Cagliari on loan with an option-to-buy. On 31 May 2022, Cagliari exercised their option to sign the player permanently.

Loan to Inter Milan On 6 July 2022, Inter Milan announced the signing of Bellanova on loan from Cagliari for the 2022–23 season.

Torino

On 1 July 2023, Bellanova was signed by Torino for €8 million from Cagliari. He signed a four-year contract with the Granata and made his debut on 14 August, as a starter in a Coppa Italia match against Feralpisalò, won 2–1. The following Monday he made his league debut with Torino in the 0–0 draw against Cagliari. On 16 February 2024, he scored his first goal for Torino, opening the score in a 2–0 victory against Lecce. He also started the following season with Torino, playing one game in the Coppa Italia match and a 2–2 draw against Milan before being sold.

Return to Atalanta On 22 August 2024, Bellanova was sold to Atalanta for a transfer fee of approximately €25 million including bonuses.

International career In October 2017, Bellanova represented Italy national under-19 football team in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification. He debuted in a 4–0 victory against Moldova on 4 October. In November 2018, Bellanova played for Italy under-20 national team in a match against Germany.

On 24 March 2024, Bellanova debuted for the Italian senior squad in a friendly match against Ecuador. Later that year, on 6 June, he was selected in the Italian squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.

Style of play Bellanova is a physically strong, fast, offensive-minded right-back with the ability to read the game and good defensive positioning. Besides his regular position of a full-back or wing-back on the right flank, he can also play as a centre-back (in both, three and four-player defensive line) or as a wide midfielder in a 3–5–2 formation.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Inter Milan Coppa Italia: 2022–23 Supercoppa Italiana: 2022 UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2022–23

Individual Serie A Team of the Year: 2023–24