1. Early Life and Youth Career
Federico Bernardeschi's early football journey began in his hometown, leading him through local clubs and into the renowned Fiorentina youth system, before his professional debut on loan at Crotone.
1.1. Childhood and Early Football
Bernardeschi was born on 16 February 1994, in Carrara, Italy. He started playing football at the age of six with a local club called Atletico Carrara. A year later, at seven years old, he transferred to Polisportiva Ponzano, a football school affiliated with Empoli. During his time at Atletico Carrara, he was known by the nickname "Montellino," meaning "little Montella," due to his goal celebration, which imitated an airplane, similar to former Italian international Vincenzo Montella. Bernardeschi's talent was evident early on, as he often played with groups two or three years older than himself. His parents, particularly his mother, made significant sacrifices, driving him to practices that started at 2 PM and often ended with him returning home between 7 PM and 8 PM. Around the age of 16, Bernardeschi faced health challenges, struggling with heart problems.
1.2. Fiorentina Youth System and Crotone Loan
In 2003, at the age of nine, Bernardeschi joined the Fiorentina youth system, being assigned to their "Pulcini" (9-10 year old) age group. He spent a decade developing his skills within the club's ranks, where he was consistently regarded as one of their most promising talents. Scouts at Fiorentina had difficulty convincing his parents to let him join due to the travel involved. In July 2011, before officially signing a professional contract with Fiorentina, Bernardeschi received an offer from Manchester United. However, his father, who acted as his agent at the time, revealed that Bernardeschi chose to reject the offer out of loyalty to Fiorentina, preferring to stay with the club that had nurtured him. He subsequently signed a three-year contract with Fiorentina, joining their Primavera (under-18) team, where he excelled as the team's top scorer and captain. His strong performances led to a four-year contract extension on 18 June 2013, and he was invited to the senior team's summer camp in July.
For the 2013-14 season, Bernardeschi was registered with the senior team wearing the number 32 shirt but did not make an official appearance. On 2 September 2013, he was loaned to Crotone in Serie B, with an option for Crotone to acquire half of his contract rights, though Fiorentina retained a veto right over the option. He made his professional debut at 19 years old on 8 September 2013, coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute for Soufiane Bidaoui in a 2-2 draw against Pescara. His first professional goal came on 21 September against Brescia. On 9 November, he scored his first brace (two goals) in a professional match against Carpi, netting a mid-range shot from 82 ft (25 m) and a direct free kick, contributing to a 2-1 victory. That season, Bernardeschi scored 12 goals and provided 7 assists in 39 appearances, making him Crotone's top scorer.
2. Senior Club Career
Bernardeschi's senior club career saw him rise through the ranks at Fiorentina, establish himself as a key player at Juventus, and then embark on a new chapter in Major League Soccer with Toronto FC.
2.1. ACF Fiorentina
Following his impressive loan spell at Crotone, Fiorentina officially reacquired full ownership of Bernardeschi's contract on 20 June 2014. He was integrated into the first team under coach Vincenzo Montella for the 2014-15 season. Bernardeschi made his Serie A debut on 14 September 2014, at the age of 20, as a 57th-minute substitute in a 0-0 home draw against Genoa. Four days later, he made his European debut and scored his first goal for the club in a 3-0 home win over Guingamp in the Europa League. His progress was interrupted in November 2014 by an ankle fracture, which sidelined him for most of the season. Upon his return, he scored his first Serie A goal on the final matchday, 31 May 2015, in a 3-0 home win against Chievo.
On 23 July 2015, Fiorentina officially announced a contract extension for Bernardeschi until 30 June 2019. This extension was partly influenced by new Serie A rules requiring clubs to include four homegrown players in their 25-man squad. On 30 July, he was publicly unveiled as the recipient of the number 10 shirt, a number previously worn by club legends such as Giancarlo Antognoni and Roberto Baggio. In the International Champions Cup on 2 August, he scored a brace against Barcelona, helping Fiorentina to a 2-1 victory. This performance led Italian sports newspapers like La Gazzetta dello Sport to hail him as the "new Baggio." On 26 November 2015, Bernardeschi scored two goals in a 2-2 away draw against Basel in the Europa League group stage, marking his first European brace. He scored his second Serie A goal of the season on 6 February 2016, in a 1-1 away draw against Bologna.
In the 2016-17 Europa League, Bernardeschi scored a direct free kick against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the first leg, contributing to a victory. He later described it as possibly the most beautiful goal of his career. Despite his efforts, Fiorentina was eliminated in the Round of 16. During the 2016-17 season, Bernardeschi significantly increased his goal tally, scoring 11 goals in 32 Serie A appearances and 2 goals in 8 Europa League matches, along with 4 assists in Serie A and 1 in the Europa League.
2.2. Juventus FC
On 24 July 2017, Bernardeschi completed a transfer to Juventus, one of Fiorentina's main rivals, for 40.00 M EUR on a five-year deal. Despite media speculation that he might take the number 10 shirt, he chose the number 33, stating: "The No. 10 is a number I like but I'll need to earn it. Taking the No. 33 is the correct choice at this point." The number 33 had previously been worn by players like Nicola Legrottaglie and Patrice Evra.
He made his club debut on 13 August, coming on as a substitute in a 3-2 defeat to Lazio in the 2017 Supercoppa Italiana. His UEFA Champions League debut followed on 12 September, as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 away loss to Barcelona. On 1 October, Bernardeschi made his first start for Juventus, scoring his first goal for the club and assisting another for Gonzalo Higuaín in a 2-2 away draw against Atalanta. His first Champions League goal came on 5 December, as he netted Juventus's second goal in a 2-0 away win over Olympiacos, securing Juventus's progression to the knockout stages. On 9 February 2018, Bernardeschi returned to Florence to face his former club, scoring a free kick in the second half amidst hostile reception from the home fans.
Bernardeschi scored his first goal of the 2018-19 season in Juventus's opening Serie A match on 18 August 2018, netting the winner in a 3-2 away victory over Chievo in injury time. On 12 March 2019, he made a crucial sprint that led to a penalty kick, and also provided an assist, in a 3-0 win over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
On 4 July 2020, Bernardeschi made his 100th appearance for Juventus in a 4-1 home win over rivals Torino in Serie A. On 26 July, he scored his first and only league goal of the season in a 2-0 home win over Sampdoria, a result that secured Juventus their ninth consecutive Serie A title. For the 2020-21 season, he changed his jersey number to 20. Under new manager Andrea Pirlo, Bernardeschi was notably converted into a full-back for Juventus, excelling in the position during a Coppa Italia win against Genoa on 13 January 2021. However, he struggled to find his form in attack during this season, finishing the league campaign with zero goals.
On 30 June 2022, Bernardeschi's departure from Juventus was announced upon the completion of his five-year contract. During his time with the club, he made 183 appearances across all competitions and contributed to seven trophy wins, including three Serie A titles.
2.3. Toronto FC
On 15 July 2022, Bernardeschi signed with Major League Soccer club Toronto FC as a designated player on a four-year contract. This move saw him reunite with Italian compatriots Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Criscito. He made his debut for Toronto FC on 23 July 2022, contributing significantly to a 4-0 home victory against Charlotte FC, where he provided an assist for Michael Bradley's goal and scored the third goal himself, all within the first half. His performance earned him a spot on the MLS Team of the Week.
Three days later, in the 2022 Canadian Championship Final against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place, Bernardeschi set up Lukas MacNaughton's equalizer in the second half with a trivela cross to tie the game 1-1. Although he converted his penalty in the subsequent shootout, Toronto FC ultimately lost 5-3. On 1 April 2023, he scored directly from a corner kick, known as an Olympico goal, against Charlotte FC in a 2-2 home draw, earning him Goal of the Matchday honors. On 18 May 2024, after returning from a mid-week suspension, Bernardeschi scored his first hat-trick in MLS during a 5-1 victory over rivals C.F. Montréal.
3. International Career
Bernardeschi has a comprehensive international career representing Italy across various youth levels and as a key player for the senior national team, culminating in a historic European Championship victory.
3.1. Youth National Teams
Bernardeschi's international career began at the youth level, where he represented Italy from the U-18 to U-21 teams. He was first called up to the Italy U-18 squad in 2011. In January 2012, he participated in the Valentin Granatkin Memorial tournament in Russia with the U-18 team, which Italy won. In November 2013, he received an early call-up to the Italy U-20 team for a friendly match against Iran. In this match, he started and wore the number 10 shirt, playing as a trequartista in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
On 5 March 2014, Bernardeschi made his debut for the Italy U-21 team in a Euro 2015 qualifying match against Northern Ireland. He was part of the squad that competed in the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship under manager Luigi Di Biagio. In June 2017, Di Biagio again included him in the Italy U-21 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. In Italy's final group match on 24 June, Bernardeschi scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over eventual champions Germany, a result that secured Italy's progression to the semi-finals. Italy was ultimately eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals on 27 June, following a 3-1 defeat, with Bernardeschi scoring Italy's temporary equalizer. For his performances throughout the tournament, he was named to the Team of the Tournament.
3.2. Senior National Team
Bernardeschi first received a call-up to the senior national team from coach Cesare Prandelli for an evaluation internship from 10 to 12 March 2014, ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He received his first official call-up to the senior squad from manager Antonio Conte in March 2016, for friendly matches against Spain and Germany. He made his international debut for Italy on 24 March, coming on as a substitute in a 1-1 home draw against Spain, where he was involved in Lorenzo Insigne's goal. On 31 May, he was named to Conte's 23-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2016. He made his only appearance of the tournament on 22 June, in Italy's final group match, a 1-0 defeat to Ireland.
Bernardeschi scored his first senior international goal on 11 June 2017, in a 5-0 home win over Liechtenstein in a 2018 World Cup qualifier. On 12 October 2019, Bernardeschi scored in a 2-0 home win over Greece, which secured Italy's qualification for UEFA Euro 2020. He also scored against Liechtenstein in another Euro 2020 qualifier on 15 October 2019, in a 5-0 away win. In a friendly match on 11 November 2020, Bernardeschi scored in a 4-0 victory over Estonia. His final international goal to date came on 28 May 2021, in a 7-0 friendly win against San Marino.
In June 2021, Bernardeschi was included in Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2020 by manager Roberto Mancini. On 6 July, following a 1-1 draw after extra time against Spain in the semi-final of the competition, Bernardeschi successfully converted his spot-kick in an eventual 4-2 penalty shootout victory, sending Italy to the final. On 11 July, Bernardeschi won the European Championship with Italy following a 3-2 penalty shootout victory over England at Wembley Stadium in the final, after a 1-1 draw in extra time. During the match, he replaced the injured Federico Chiesa late in the second half and later scored Italy's fourth spot-kick in the shootout, which proved to be the decisive penalty.
4. Playing Style
Bernardeschi is recognized as a quick, strong, creative, technically gifted, and hard-working player with excellent positional awareness and an eye for goal. He was considered one of Italy's most exciting and talented prospects. Primarily a left-footed player, he is known for his pace, agility, and dribbling ability, as well as his powerful and accurate striking ability from outside the penalty area. He also excels at making late attacking runs into the box.
His preferred role is as a right winger or outside forward in a 4-3-3 formation. This position allows him to beat opponents, cut into the center, and either shoot towards goal or link up with midfielders to create chances for teammates using his stronger left foot. He is also capable of playing effectively on the left flank. Due to his tactical versatility, intelligence, stamina, vision, and defensive work-rate, as well as his technical, athletic, and physical attributes, Bernardeschi can play in various other positions. He has been deployed as a second striker or inside forward, as an attacking midfielder, and in a central role as a classic number 10 playmaker behind the forwards (known as the trequartista role in Italian), particularly under his Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri. He has also played in a deeper midfield role as an offensive-minded central midfielder (known as the mezzala role), further up the pitch as an outright forward, as a false 9, or even as a wide midfielder, full-back, or wing-back along the right side of the pitch. He is also known for his accuracy from set-pieces and penalties.
Bernardeschi has cited compatriots Francesco Totti, Giancarlo Antognoni, Roberto Baggio, and Alessandro Del Piero as his footballing idols and role models. His role on the pitch and elegant playing style have led pundits to compare him to these aforementioned players, as well as Michel Platini. He also described Ukrainian former striker Andriy Shevchenko as one of his major influences during his youth. Due to his technique and elegant playing style, Bernardeschi has been nicknamed Brunelleschi, a reference to the famous Italian Renaissance designer and architect from Florence.
While Bernardeschi has generally received praise for his ability, talent, and playing style, he has also faced critiques. In July 2017, former Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi commented on Bernardeschi's "enormous potential" but highlighted areas for improvement. Sacchi noted that Bernardeschi "doesn't use his right [foot] much and he needs to improve in that, if you only have one foot you risk being predictable and the opposition can shut you down more easily." He further added that Bernardeschi needs to "learn how to get into the rhythm of the game with consistency" and show "less individual technique and more collective technique" to reach his full potential. Sacchi also cautioned against comparisons, stating: "Bernardeschi is not Del Piero and he's not Roberto Baggio. They were more at the centre of things, while Bernardeschi moves on the wing." Pundits have also cited his decision-making as an area that needs improvement as he gains more experience.
5. Personal Life
Federico Bernardeschi is married and has two daughters. In May 2019, his partner Veronica Ciardi gave birth to their first daughter, Deva. In May 2021, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Lena. On 13 July 2021, which was Veronica's birthday, the couple got married. The wedding took place in the Carrara Cathedral, located in Bernardeschi's hometown, just two days after the Italy national football team's triumph at UEFA Euro 2020. Bernardeschi is also known for his tattoos, including a portrait of actress Audrey Hepburn on his right arm.
6. Achievements and Honours
Bernardeschi has amassed a significant collection of club and international titles, as well as individual accolades throughout his career.
6.1. Club Honours
- Serie A: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20
- Coppa Italia: 2017-18, 2020-21
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2018, 2020
6.2. International Honours
- UEFA European Championship: 2020
- UEFA Nations League third place: 2020-21
6.3. Individual Honours
- AIAC Football Leader Under-21 Award: 2015-16
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2017
- MLS All-Star: 2024
6.4. Orders
- Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2021
7. Career Statistics
7.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Crotone (loan) | 2013-14 | Serie B | 38 | 12 | 0 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 39 | 12 | |
| Fiorentina | 2014-15 | Serie A | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | - | 10 | 3 | |
| 2015-16 | Serie A | 33 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | - | 41 | 6 | ||
| 2016-17 | Serie A | 32 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 2 | - | 42 | 14 | ||
| Total | 72 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 23 | ||
| Juventus | 2017-18 | Serie A | 22 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 5 |
| 2018-19 | Serie A | 28 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 3 | |
| 2019-20 | Serie A | 29 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 2 | |
| 2020-21 | Serie A | 27 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
| 2021-22 | Serie A | 28 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 2 | |
| Total | 134 | 8 | 14 | 2 | 31 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 183 | 12 | ||
| Toronto FC | 2022 | Major League Soccer | 13 | 8 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 14 | 8 | ||
| 2023 | Major League Soccer | 31 | 5 | 1 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 33 | 5 | ||
| 2024 | Major League Soccer | 29 | 8 | 5 | 1 | - | 3 | 0 | 37 | 9 | ||
| 2025 | Major League Soccer | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Total | 74 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 85 | 23 | ||
| Career total | 318 | 56 | 24 | 4 | 49 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 400 | 70 | ||
7.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 2016 | 7 | 0 |
| 2017 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 39 | 6 | |
Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bernardeschi goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 June 2017 | Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy | 9 | Liechtenstein | 4-0 | 5-0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 10 October 2018 | Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy | 15 | Ukraine | 1-0 | 1-1 | Friendly |
| 3 | 12 October 2019 | Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy | 22 | Greece | 2-0 | 2-0 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| 4 | 15 October 2019 | Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein | 23 | Liechtenstein | 1-0 | 5-0 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| 5 | 11 November 2020 | Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy | 25 | Estonia | 2-0 | 4-0 | Friendly |
| 6 | 28 May 2021 | Sardegna Arena, Cagliari, Italy | 30 | San Marino | 1-0 | 7-0 | Friendly |
8. Legacy and Evaluation
Federico Bernardeschi's career is marked by his development as a highly skilled and versatile attacking player. His nickname "Brunelleschi," after the renowned Florentine architect, is a testament to his elegant playing style and sophisticated technique on the field. This recognition highlights his aesthetic contribution to the game, distinguishing him as an artist with the ball.
Bernardeschi has demonstrated notable loyalty to the clubs that shaped him, particularly Fiorentina. An anecdote from 2011, when he was just 17, illustrates this loyalty: he reportedly rejected an offer from Manchester United before signing his first professional contract with Fiorentina. He later explained that he "was not interested" in the offer, prioritizing his bond with the club that had nurtured him since childhood. After his loan spell at Crotone, he openly expressed his dream of returning to Florence and playing in Serie A for Fiorentina, further emphasizing his deep connection to the club and its city. Upon his return, he was recognized as Fiorentina's future talent and even dubbed the "new Baggio" by Italian sports media, underscoring the high expectations placed upon him.
His decision to join Juventus in 2017, a rival of Fiorentina, was a significant turning point in his career, met with mixed reactions but ultimately leading to substantial team success. His choice to wear the number 33 jersey instead of the prestigious number 10, stating he needed to "earn" it, reflected a grounded and ambitious mindset. While he was criticized by some experts, such as Arrigo Sacchi, for aspects like his reliance on his left foot and the need for greater consistency and collective play, Bernardeschi has consistently shown a dedication to improving his game and adapting to various tactical roles, including a successful conversion to full-back under Andrea Pirlo. His crucial role in Italy's Euro 2020 victory, particularly his composure in the penalty shootout, solidified his place in the nation's football history. Overall, Bernardeschi is regarded as a talented and adaptable player who has contributed to both club and country at the highest levels of football.