The 2025/26 season finds Genoa CFC in a state of determined consolidation under the guidance of Alberto Gilardino, the former World Cup-winning striker who took the helm in 2022 and secured the club’s return to Serie A. Il Grifone (The Griffin), wearing the iconic red and blue halves, continue to embody the gritty, resilient spirit of the oldest club in Italian football (founded in 1893). The Stadio Luigi Ferraris, shared with city rivals Sampdoria, remains one of Italian football’s most atmospheric venues, the Gradinata Nord’s passionate support creating a formidable home advantage. This season’s squad reflects Genoa’s identity: physical defenders, hard-working midfielders, and a collective work rate that exceeds the sum of individual parts. The club’s ownership under American businessman Dan Șucu has provided financial stability, with sporting director Marco Ottolini unearthing undervalued gems across Europe. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Genoa’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Josep Martínez
Nationality: Spanish (covered in Inter Milan; departed Genoa 2024)
2. Nicola Leali
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Juventus, Virtus Lanciano (loan), Zulte Waregem (loan), Perugia (loan), Ascoli (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Nicola Leali has become Genoa’s undisputed number one following years of itinerant loans, the Italian shot-stopper providing reflexes, command, and redemption after a career that once promised greatness at Juventus. The 32-year-old’s shot-stopping (74% save percentage in 2024/25, 73% in 2025/26 to date) and command of the penalty area (86% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Genoa’s survival campaigns. Leali’s distribution (87% pass completion) remains functional, but his shot-stopping fundamentals have proven remarkably consistent. Having started 33 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 12 clean sheets, he has silenced pre-season sceptics. Leali’s relationship with Italian teammates provides comfort; his journey from Juventus prodigy to Genoa starter is a testament to perseverance. Leali’s contract runs through 2028. Leali’s performance against Inter Milan in November 2025—making 9 saves, including a spectacular double stop—demonstrated his enduring quality.
3. Daniele Sommariva
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Genoa academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Daniele Sommariva has accepted a rotational role behind Leali, providing Italian backup depth, cup competition cover, and homegrown continuity. The 27-year-old’s shot-stopping (72% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (86% pass completion) provide functional cover. Sommariva started 10 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Leali’s rest), keeping 4 clean sheets. Sommariva’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Pierluigi Gollini
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Manchester United (youth), Hellas Verona, Atalanta, Tottenham Hotspur (loan), Napoli (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Pierluigi Gollini has served as emergency third-choice option following his free transfer from Atalanta, offering Italian experience and depth. The 30-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
Defenders
1. Koni De Winter
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: Juventus, Empoli (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: £8 million (2024)
Koni De Winter has become Genoa’s defensive leader and one of Serie A’s most promising young centre-backs, the Belgian international providing physicality, aerial dominance, and tactical intelligence following his permanent signing from Juventus. The 23-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.5 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing wing-backs—provides defensive security. His aerial duel success (85%) leads Genoa’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. De Winter’s tackling (2.8 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate old-school defending. His passing (88% completion) remains secure. De Winter’s partnership with Johan Vásquez has conceded only 1.15 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. De Winter’s contract runs through 2029, with Genoa rejecting January 2026 approaches.
2. Johan Vásquez
Nationality: Mexican
Former Clubs: UNAM Pumas, Cagliari (loan), Cremonese (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: £4 million (2023)
Johan Vásquez has become De Winter’s long-term partner, the Mexican international providing left-footed balance, aggression, and tactical discipline following his permanent signing. The 27-year-old’s tackling (2.7 per 90) and interceptions (2.4 per 90) provide defensive security. Vásquez’s left-footed passing (4.5 progressive passes per 90) initiates attacks from deep. Vásquez’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Aarón Martín
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Espanyol, Mainz 05, Genoa
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2023)
Aarón Martín has become Genoa’s first-choice left-back, the Spanish defender providing crossing, defensive diligence, and experience across three seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.7 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. Martín’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Stefano Sabelli
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Roma, Bari (loan), Crotone (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2022)
Stefano Sabelli has provided right-back depth following his arrival from Roma, the Italian defender offering work rate, crossing, and experience. The 32-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.4 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 2 assists in 2025/26. Sabelli’s contract runs through 2027.
5. Alan Matturro
Nationality: Uruguayan
Former Clubs: Defensor Sporting, Genoa
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2023)
Alan Matturro has provided centre-back depth following his arrival from Defensor Sporting, the Uruguayan youth international offering physicality and potential. The 21-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Alessandro Zanoli
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Napoli, Sampdoria (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: Loan from Napoli (2025)
Alessandro Zanoli’s season-long loan from Napoli added Italian right-back depth and pace to Genoa’s squad. The 25-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.5 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 2 assists in 2025/26. Zanoli’s loan expires at the end of the 2025/26 season.
7. Giorgio Cittadini
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Atalanta, Modena (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2024)
Giorgio Cittadini has provided centre-back depth following his arrival from Atalanta, the Italian defender offering physicality and aerial presence. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Midfielders
1. Morten Frendrup (Vice-Captain)
Nationality: Danish
Former Clubs: Brøndby, Genoa
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2022)
Morten Frendrup has become Genoa’s midfield engine and vice-captain, the Danish international providing energy, tackling, and tactical intelligence across four seasons at the club. The 24-year-old’s tackling (3.4 per 90) and interceptions (2.6 per 90) lead Genoa’s midfield. His work rate (11.9 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.6 pressures per 90) set Gilardino’s standards. Frendrup’s ball-carrying (3.9 progressive carries per 90) provides midfield progression. Frendrup’s contract runs through 2029, with Genoa rejecting January 2026 approaches from Premier League clubs.
2. Milan Badelj (Captain)
Nationality: Croatian
Former Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Hamburger SV, Fiorentina, Lazio, Genoa
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Milan Badelj has become Genoa’s captain and midfield anchor, the Croatian veteran providing passing security, tactical intelligence, and experience across four seasons at the club. The 36-year-old’s passing (5.1 progressive passes per 90, 90% completion) and composure under pressure enable Genoa to build play through midfield. Badelj’s tackling (2.6 per 90) and interceptions (2.2 per 90) provide midfield security. Badelj’s experience—including 50+ Croatia caps—provides dressing room leadership. Badelj’s contract expires in 2027, with a coaching role likely thereafter.
3. Ruslan Malinovskyi
Nationality: Ukrainian
Former Clubs: Shakhtar Donetsk, Atalanta, Marseille (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: £5 million (2024)
Ruslan Malinovskyi has provided attacking midfield depth following his arrival from Marseille, the Ukrainian international providing left-footed shooting, creativity, and set-piece delivery. The 32-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (5 assists) provide functional depth. Malinovskyi’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Fabio Miretti
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Juventus, Genoa
Transfer Fee: Loan from Juventus (2025)
Fabio Miretti’s season-long loan from Juventus added Italian youth pedigree, passing quality, and midfield depth to Genoa’s squad. The 22-year-old’s passing (4.8 progressive passes per 90) and composure provide functional depth. Miretti’s loan expires at the end of the 2025/26 season.
5. Patrizio Masini
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Genoa academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Patrizio Masini has provided midfield depth following his graduation from Genoa’s academy, the Italian midfielder offering energy and tactical discipline. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Morten Thorsby
Nationality: Norwegian
Former Clubs: Heerenveen, Sampdoria, Union Berlin (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2024)
Morten Thorsby has provided midfield depth following his arrival from Sampdoria, the Norwegian international offering physicality, tackling, and work rate. The 29-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Kevin Strootman
Nationality: Dutch
Former Clubs: Utrecht, PSV Eindhoven, Roma, Marseille, Genoa
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Kevin Strootman, now 35, has provided emergency midfield depth following his free transfer from Marseille, the Dutch veteran offering experience and passing quality in limited minutes. Strootman’s contract expires in 2027.
Forwards
1. Mateo Retegui
Nationality: Italian (Argentine-born, covered in Atalanta; departed Genoa 2024)
2. Albert Guðmundsson
Nationality: Icelandic
Former Clubs: PSV Eindhoven, AZ Alkmaar (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2022)
Albert Guðmundsson has become Genoa’s primary attacking weapon, the Icelandic international providing finishing, dribbling, and creativity across four seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s finishing (12 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (7 assists) provide elite production from attacking midfield and second-striker positions. His dribbling (3.6 successful take-ons per 90) and acceleration (0-30 km/h in 2.6 seconds) terrorise defenders. Guðmundsson’s contract runs through 2029, with Genoa rejecting January 2026 approaches.
3. Caleb Ekuban
Nationality: Ghanaian (English-born)
Former Clubs: Chievo, Partizani (loan), Trabzonspor (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2018)
Caleb Ekuban has provided striker depth following his long service, the Ghanaian forward offering physicality, pace, and work rate as Guðmundsson’s understudy. The 31-year-old’s finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Ekuban’s contract expires in 2027.
4. Vitinha
Nationality: Portuguese (Brazilian-born)
Former Clubs: Braga, Olympique Marseille (loan), Genoa
Transfer Fee: £5 million (2024)
Vitinha has provided striker depth following his arrival from Braga, the Portuguese forward offering physicality, finishing, and hold-up play. The 25-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) provides functional depth. Vitinha’s contract runs through 2028.
5. Junior Messias
Nationality: Brazilian
Former Clubs: Crotone, Milan, Genoa
Transfer Fee: £2 million (2024)
Junior Messias has provided wide depth following his arrival from Milan, the Brazilian winger offering dribbling, crossing, and experience. The 34-year-old’s finishing (4 goals in 2025/26) provides functional depth. Messias’s contract expires in 2027.
6. David Ankeye
Nationality: Nigerian
Former Clubs: HJK Helsinki, Genoa
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2024)
David Ankeye has provided wide depth following his arrival from HJK Helsinki, the Nigerian forward offering pace and potential. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
7. Giuseppe Sibilli
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Genoa academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Giuseppe Sibilli has provided emergency forward depth following his graduation from Genoa’s youth setup. The 22-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Conclusion
Genoa’s 2025/26 squad represents the most resilient and tactically coherent group assembled since the club’s 1990s heyday under the ownership of Aldo Spinola, a testament to Alberto Gilardino’s coaching, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Frendrup, De Winter, Guðmundsson), and the academy’s continued production (Masini, Sommariva). The defence, anchored by Koni De Winter’s Belgian physicality and Johan Vásquez’s Mexican aggression, provides platform for Genoa’s organised, physically intense system. The midfield, dominated by Morten Frendrup’s Danish energy and Milan Badelj’s Croatian composure, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and tactical intelligence. The attack, headlined by Albert Guðmundsson’s Icelandic creativity and finishing, carries sufficient goal threat to secure mid-table security. Crucially, Genoa has balanced immediate competitiveness with financial sustainability; Frendrup, De Winter, and Guðmundsson represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining Serie A status without the budgets of Italy’s traditional powers—and continuing to develop players for profitable sales while remaining competitive. Yet the Stadio Ferraris’s legendary, passionate atmosphere—amplified by the Gradinata Nord’s supporters, who remember the club’s nine Serie A titles (the fourth-most in Italian history, albeit all pre-1924) and more recent struggles—provides emotional fuel. Genoa no longer hopes merely to survive; they expect to establish themselves as a stable top-flight club once more. This squad appears equipped to deliver another season of Serie A football. Forza Genoa.
