Five Serie A youngsters set to break out in 2026

Serie A has always liked its prodigies slightly precocious and faintly improbable. From teenage playmakers trusted too early to defenders who look born at 28, Italy’s top flight remains a fertile proving ground for young talent prepared to grow up quickly.

The current season has been no different, with Kenan Yildiz and Nico Paz already forcing themselves into wider conversations. But beyond the obvious names, a new group is forming, and 2026 looks primed to be their year.

Here are five Serie A youngsters whose trajectories suggest that “promise” is about to turn into something louder in 2026.

Davide Bartesaghi (AC Milan)

Bartesaghi has quietly become one of the most intriguing young full-backs in Italy. Still a teenager, the AC Milan defender combines tactical maturity with an aggression that feels distinctly un-teenage.

Primarily a left-back but comfortable across the back line, he is proactive in his positioning and composed in possession, often stepping into midfield zones rather than hugging the touchline.

Milan have handled him carefully, but his appearances have shown a player who looks built for modern football: mobile, assertive and unfazed by pressure. If his development continues on its current curve, 2026 could be the year he claims a permanent starting role.

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Jacobo Ramon (Como)

Como’s project has given opportunities to young players brave enough to embrace responsibility, and Jacobo Ramon fits that brief neatly.

A central defender with a calm passing range and an appetite for stepping out from the back, Ramon looks comfortable playing in a side that values structure without sacrificing ambition.

For a young player still adapting to the tempo and flow of the Italian top flight, his anticipation and calmness stand out. Ramon’s assuredness, maturity and leadership potential could become a cornerstone of Como's make-up if he continues to progress at his current rate.

Jesus Rodriguez (Como)

Another beneficiary of Como’s forward-thinking approach, Jesus Rodriguez, offers something different. Operating primarily as a wide forward, he is direct, fearless and constantly looking to isolate defenders. 

His game is built on acceleration and intent rather than elaborate build-up, which makes him a useful tactical weapon. 

Rodriguez has already shown an ability to change games from the bench or the start, and as his decision-making matures, the raw threat he carries could become far more consistent. Serie A has a habit of polishing attackers like him, and 2026 may be when the shine becomes obvious.

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Simone Pafundi (Udinese, on loan at Sampdoria)

Pafundi has been “next big thing” adjacent for a while now, but his loan spell at Sampdoria has finally given him something more valuable than hype: minutes.

A technically gifted attacking midfielder, he thrives between the lines, using close control and quick decision-making to destabilise defences.

What 2025 has added to his game is rhythm and resilience. Regular football in a demanding environment has sharpened his movement and improved his off-the-ball work. Returning to Udinese with momentum, Pafundi looks poised to turn flashes of brilliance into sustained influence in 2026.

Francesco Camarda (AC Milan, on loan at Lecce)

Camarda’s name has been familiar for years, which is both his gift and his burden. The loan move to Lecce has been about recalibration rather than spectacle, allowing him to experience senior football without the constant glare of Milanello. A natural penalty-box striker, Camarda’s movement remains his standout trait, arriving early where defenders arrive late.

Still only 17 years old, the physical side of the game is catching up with his instincts, and the goals have followed in patches. If 2025 was about learning, 2026 could be about arriving – properly – as Serie A’s next centre-forward obsession.

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