The 2025/26 season finds Inter Milan in a state of calculated evolution, as the Nerazzurri seek to defend their Scudetto crown while finally translating domestic dominance into Champions League glory. Simone Inzaghi, now in his fifth season at the San Siro, has transformed Inter from Antonio Conte’s defensive juggernaut into a fluid, possession-based attacking machine capable of dismantling any opponent on their day. The club’s ownership transition from Suning to a new American consortium in 2024 brought financial stability after years of austerity, allowing the sporting director to retain core stars while adding strategic reinforcements. The San Siro, shared with city rivals AC Milan, remains one of football’s most iconic cathedrals, its towering spiral towers and passionate Curva Nord creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. This season’s squad blends Scudetto-winning veterans, emerging Italian talents, and world-class internationals, all drilled in Inzaghi’s demanding tactical system. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Inter’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Yann Sommer
Nationality: Swiss
Former Clubs: FC Vaduz, Grasshoppers, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern Munich
Transfer Fee: £5 million (2023)
Yann Sommer has justified every penny of his modest fee by becoming one of Serie A’s most reliable goalkeepers, his Swiss international pedigree, reflexes, and distribution proving instrumental in Inter’s 2024/25 Scudetto triumph. The 37-year-old’s shot-stopping (76% save percentage in 2024/25, 75% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (87% cross-claiming success) remain elite despite his age. Sommer’s distribution (90% pass completion), particularly his quick throws to initiate counters and clipped passes to advancing wing-backs, suits Inzaghi’s possession-based system perfectly. Having started 34 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 15 clean sheets, he remains remarkably durable. Sommer’s experience—including 90+ Switzerland caps, Bundesliga titles with Bayern—provides dressing room leadership. Sommer’s contract runs through 2028, with retirement likely thereafter. Sommer’s performance against Juventus in November 2025—making 9 saves, including a penalty stop—demonstrated enduring quality.
2. Josep Martínez
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Barcelona B, RB Leipzig, Genoa
Transfer Fee: £12 million (2024)
Josep Martínez has accepted a rotational role behind Sommer, providing Spanish youth pedigree, cup competition reliability, and long-term succession planning. The 27-year-old’s shot-stopping (73% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (88% pass completion) have impressed when called upon. Martínez started 12 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Sommer’s rest), keeping 6 clean sheets. Martínez’s contract runs through 2029, with Inter viewing him as long-term Sommer successor. Martínez’s performance against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia quarterfinal—making 7 saves in a 1-0 victory—demonstrated his quality.
3. Raffaele Di Gennaro
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Inter Milan academy, Cagliari (loan)
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Raffaele Di Gennaro has served as emergency third-choice option following his return to Inter. The 32-year-old’s contract runs through 2027.
Defenders
1. Alessandro Bastoni (Vice-Captain)
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Inter Milan academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Alessandro Bastoni has become the finest left-footed centre-back in world football, his progression from Inter’s academy to Azzurri regular representing one of Italian football’s great success stories. The 26-year-old’s left-footed passing (6.1 progressive passes per 90, 92% completion), particularly his raking diagonals and line-breaking verticals, initiates attacks from deep. His reading of the game (2.5 interceptions per 90) and positioning—anticipating danger before it materialises—provide defensive security. Bastoni’s aerial duel success (82%) and tackling (2.4 per 90) have improved through consistent first-team exposure. His partnership with Stefan de Vrij (and later his successor) has conceded only 0.82 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Bastoni’s relationship with the club—academy since childhood, over 200 appearances—provides emotional connection supporters adore. Bastoni’s contract runs through 2030, with Inter rejecting January 2026 approaches from Manchester City and Real Madrid. Bastoni’s performance against AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina—playing out of pressure, assisting the winning goal—demonstrated his elite status.
2. Stefan de Vrij
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Feyenoord, Lazio
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2018)
Stefan de Vrij, now 33, remains Inter’s defensive leader and tactical brain, the Dutch international providing positioning, passing range, and experience across eight seasons at the San Siro. The veteran’s reading of the game (2.6 interceptions per 90) and positional discipline—anticipating danger before it materialises—compensate for declining recovery pace. De Vrij’s passing (5.2 progressive passes per 90, 90% completion) enables Inter to build play through defensive phases. His partnership with Bastoni has developed telepathic understanding; their complementary styles (Bastoni’s aggression, de Vrij’s composure) create defensive synergy. De Vrij’s experience—including 60+ Netherlands caps—provides dressing room wisdom. De Vrij’s contract runs through 2028, with a coaching role or Dutch return likely thereafter.
3. Francesco Acerbi
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Milan, Chievo, Sassuolo, Lazio
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2022)
Francesco Acerbi, now 38, has defied age expectations through obsessive fitness maintenance and tactical intelligence, remaining a reliable centre-back rotation option for Inter. The veteran’s aerial duel success (85%) and tackling (2.6 per 90) provide functional cover. Acerbi’s experience—including 30+ Italy caps—provides dressing room leadership. Acerbi’s contract expires in 2027, with retirement likely.
4. Benjamin Pavard
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Lille, Stuttgart, Bayern Munich
Transfer Fee: £25 million (2023)
Benjamin Pavard has become Inter’s first-choice right centre-back and a fan favourite, his French World Cup-winning pedigree, versatility, and surprising goal threat proving invaluable. The 29-year-old’s defensive positioning (2.2 interceptions per 90) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide security. His versatility across centre-back and right-wing-back offers Inzaghi tactical flexibility. Pavard’s long-range shooting (3 goals in 2025/26, including a stunning volley against Juventus) adds unexpected scoring dimension. Pavard’s relationship with French-speaking teammates provides comfort. Pavard’s contract runs through 2029, with Inter rejecting January 2026 approaches.
5. Federico Dimarco
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Inter Milan academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Federico Dimarco has become one of the world’s premier left-wing-backs, his Italian crossing, set-piece delivery, and goal-scoring instincts making him indispensable to Inzaghi’s system. The 28-year-old’s overlapping runs (4.3 per 90) and crossing (41% accuracy) created 9 assists in 2025/26, leading Inter’s assist charts from full-back. His set-piece delivery (4 direct free kick goals, 6 corner assists) provides elite dead-ball quality. Dimarco’s defensive positioning (1.9 interceptions per 90) and tackling (2.3 per 90) have improved through consistent first-team exposure. Dimarco’s relationship with the club—academy since childhood, boyhood Inter fan—provides emotional connection supporters adore. Dimarco’s contract runs through 2030, with Inter rejecting January 2026 approaches from Manchester City. Dimarco’s performance against Barcelona in the Champions League group stage—scoring a stunning free kick, assisting another—demonstrated his elite quality.
6. Denzel Dumfries
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: PSV Eindhoven
Transfer Fee: £12 million (2021)
Denzel Dumfries has become Inter’s first-choice right-wing-back, providing Dutch international athleticism, overlapping runs, and physical presence across five seasons at the San Siro. The 29-year-old’s overlapping runs (4.0 per 90) and crossing (38% accuracy) created 6 assists in 2025/26. His defensive recovery pace (35.4 km/h) and tackling (2.5 per 90) provide balance. Dumfries’s aerial duel success (79%) adds set-piece threat. Dumfries’s contract runs through 2029, with Inter rejecting January 2026 approaches.
7. Carlos Augusto
Nationality: Brazilian
Former Clubs: Corinthians, Monza
Transfer Fee: £8 million (2023)
Carlos Augusto has provided left-wing-back depth following his arrival from Monza, offering Brazilian technical quality, crossing, and versatility. The 27-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.6 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. Augusto’s contract runs through 2029.
8. Yann Bisseck
Nationality: German
Former Clubs: FC Köln, Aarhus
Transfer Fee: £6 million (2023)
Yann Bisseck has emerged as a promising centre-back rotation option following patient integration, providing German physicality, aerial dominance, and recovery pace. The 25-year-old’s aerial duel success (83%) and tackling (2.4 per 90) provide functional cover. Bisseck’s contract runs through 2029.
Midfielders
1. Nicolò Barella (Captain)
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Cagliari
Transfer Fee: £45 million (2020)
Nicolò Barella has become Inter’s captain and the finest Italian midfielder of his generation, his energy, technical quality, and leadership driving the Nerazzurri to multiple Scudetti. The 28-year-old’s work rate (12.0 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.8 pressures per 90) set Inter’s standards. His passing (5.1 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion) enables Inter to build play through midfield. Barella’s finishing (8 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (10 assists) provide elite production from central midfield. His partnership with Hakan Çalhanoğlu provides midfield balance (Barella’s energy, Çalhanoğlu’s creativity). Barella’s leadership, formalised as club captain in 2025, manages Inter’s dressing room through passionate authority and professional standards. Barella’s contract runs through 2030, with Inter rejecting January 2026 approaches from Liverpool. Barella’s performance against AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina—scoring a brace, making 8 tackles—demonstrated his elite status.
2. Hakan Çalhanoğlu
Nationality: Turkish
Former Clubs: Karlsruher, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2021)
Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s controversial free transfer from AC Milan in 2021 has been fully vindicated, the Turkish playmaker becoming one of Europe’s finest deep-lying playmakers and set-piece specialists. The 31-year-old’s passing (5.8 progressive passes per 90, 91% completion) and composure under pressure orchestrate Inter’s attacking phases. His set-piece delivery (7 direct free kick goals for Inter, 11 corner assists) provides elite dead-ball quality. Çalhanoğlu’s finishing (9 goals in 2025/26, primarily from penalties and free kicks) and creativity (12 assists) provide elite production. His partnership with Barella has developed telepathic understanding. Çalhanoğlu’s contract runs through 2029, with Inter rejecting January 2026 approaches.
3. Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Nationality: Armenian
Former Clubs: Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Arsenal, Roma
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, now 37, continues defying age through football intelligence and technical quality, remaining a valuable midfield rotation option for Inter. The Armenian’s passing (4.9 progressive passes per 90, 90% completion) and composure provide functional depth. Mkhitaryan’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (4 assists) offer value in limited minutes. Mkhitaryan’s contract expires in 2027, with retirement likely.
4. Davide Frattesi
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Roma academy, Sassuolo
Transfer Fee: £25 million (2023)
Davide Frattesi has emerged as a genuine midfield rotation option following patient integration, providing Italian energy, late arrivals into the box, and goal-scoring instincts. The 26-year-old’s finishing (7 goals in 2025/26, primarily as substitute) and work rate (11.5 kilometres per match) provide functional depth. Frattesi’s contract runs through 2029, with Inter viewing him as long-term Barella successor. Frattesi’s performance against Lazio in 2025—entering at 0-0, scoring a 88th-minute winner—demonstrated his impact ceiling.
5. Kristjan Asllani
Nationality: Albanian
Former Clubs: Empoli
Transfer Fee: £10 million (2022)
Kristjan Asllani has developed into a reliable defensive midfield rotation option, providing Albanian passing quality, tactical discipline, and set-piece delivery. The 23-year-old’s passing (5.0 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion) and composure provide functional depth. Asllani’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Piotr Zielinski
Nationality: Polish
Former Clubs: Udinese, Empoli (loan), Napoli
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Piotr Zielinski’s summer 2024 arrival from Napoli added Polish international creativity, technical quality, and Champions League experience to Inter’s midfield depth. The 31-year-old’s passing (4.8 progressive passes per 90) and finishing (4 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Zielinski’s contract runs through 2029.
Forwards
1. Lautaro Martínez (Vice-Captain)
Nationality: Argentine
Former Clubs: Racing Club
Transfer Fee: £20 million (2018)
Lautaro Martínez has become one of the world’s most complete strikers, the Argentine captain (of the national team) providing finishing, work rate, and leadership that has driven Inter to multiple Scudetti. The 28-year-old’s finishing (24 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (29%) provide elite scoring threat. His movement off the shoulder (3.5 shots per 90, 0.58 xG per shot) terrorises defences. Martínez’s link-up play, particularly dropping deep to receive and laying off to advancing midfielders, created 9 assists. His work rate pressing centre-backs (11.0 pressures per 90) sets Inter’s defensive tone from the front. Martínez’s partnership with Marcus Thuram has developed telepathic understanding; their combinations produced 18 direct goal contributions. Martínez’s contract runs through 2030, with Inter rejecting January 2026 approaches from Paris Saint-Germain. Martínez’s performance against AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina—scoring a brace, winning 9 duels—demonstrated his elite quality.
2. Marcus Thuram
Nationality: French
Former Clubs: Sochaux, Guingamp, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Marcus Thuram has justified his free transfer by becoming one of Serie A’s most complete forwards, his French international pedigree, physicality, and creativity providing a perfect complement to Lautaro Martínez. The 28-year-old’s finishing (15 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (10 assists) provide elite production. His dribbling (3.7 successful take-ons per 90) and hold-up play (71% success receiving back to goal) occupy defenders, creating space for Martínez. Thuram’s work rate pressing centre-backs (10.7 pressures per 90) suits Inzaghi’s demands. Thuram’s contract runs through 2029, with Inter rejecting January 2026 approaches.
3. Marko Arnautović
Nationality: Austrian
Former Clubs: Twente, Inter (first spell), Werder Bremen, Stoke City, West Ham United, Bologna
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2023)
Marko Arnautović has accepted a veteran rotational role following his return to Inter, providing Austrian physicality, hold-up play, and experience. The 36-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) and hold-up play (72% success) provide functional depth. Arnautović’s contract expires in 2027.
4. Mehdi Taremi
Nationality: Iranian
Former Clubs: Porto, Rio Ave (loan)
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Mehdi Taremi’s summer 2024 arrival from Porto added Iranian international finishing, intelligence, and penalty-box presence to Inter’s striking depth. The 33-year-old’s finishing (7 goals in 2025/26, primarily as substitute) and creativity (5 assists) provide functional depth. Taremi’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Tajon Buchanan
Nationality: Canadian
Former Clubs: New England Revolution, Club Brugge
Transfer Fee: £6 million (2024)
Tajon Buchanan has provided wide depth following his arrival from Club Brugge, offering Canadian pace, dribbling, and versatility across the frontline. The 26-year-old’s dribbling (3.5 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (3 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Buchanan’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Joaquín Correa
Nationality: Argentine
Former Clubs: Estudiantes, Sampdoria, Sevilla, Lazio
Transfer Fee: £20 million (2021)
Joaquín Correa’s Inter career has been disappointing, with the Argentine forward spending 2024/25 on loan at Marseille (4 goals). Correa remains an emergency option. Correa’s contract expires in 2027.
Conclusion
Inter Milan’s 2025/26 squad represents the most complete and tactically sophisticated group assembled since the treble-winning era of 2010, a testament to Simone Inzaghi’s coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Sommer, Thuram, Pavard), and the club’s academy production (Bastoni, Dimarco, Barella as signing). The defence, anchored by Alessandro Bastoni’s Italian elegance and Stefan de Vrij’s Dutch intelligence, provides platform for Inzaghi’s possession-based, high-pressing system. The midfield, dominated by Nicolò Barella’s energy and Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s Turkish creativity, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and technical quality. The attack, headlined by Lautaro Martínez’s Argentine finishing and Marcus Thuram’s French physicality, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Inter has balanced immediate competitiveness with long-term planning; Bastoni, Barella, Dimarco, and Frattesi represent the club’s Italian core while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves finally translating domestic dominance into Champions League glory—a trophy Inter has not won since 2010. Yet the San Siro’s legendary atmosphere, amplified by the Curva Nord’s passionate supporters, provides emotional fuel. Inter no longer hopes merely to compete; they expect to dominate Serie A and challenge Europe’s elite. This squad appears equipped to deliver another Scudetto and a deep Champions League run. Forza Inter.
