The 2025/26 season finds Napoli entering a new chapter following the departure of Luciano Spalletti and the subsequent Antonio Conte era, now in its second full campaign at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The Partenopei’s historic Scudetto triumph of 2022/23 remains a cherished memory, but the club has since undergone significant transition, losing several title-winning heroes while refreshing the squad with younger, hungrier talents. Conte, the fiery Italian manager who has won Scudetti with Juventus and Inter, has instilled his trademark tactical intensity, defensive organisation, and relentless winning mentality into a squad that had drifted after its miraculous title. The Maradona Stadium, renamed in honour of the Argentine god who delivered Napoli’s first two Scudetti, remains one of Italian football’s most passionate cauldrons, the Curva A and Curva B vibrating with Neapolitan fervour. This season’s squad reflects Conte’s blueprint: physical midfielders, organised defenders, and a deadly frontline capable of punishing opponents on the break. Below lies an exhaustive examination of Napoli’s first-team roster for 2025/26, organised by position, with each player’s journey, financial details, and stylistic fingerprints dissected thoroughly.
Goalkeepers
1. Alex Meret
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Udinese, Spal (loan)
Transfer Fee: £20 million (2019)
Alex Meret has finally silenced his doubters and established himself as one of Serie A’s most reliable goalkeepers, his reflexes, command of the penalty area, and Scudetto-winning experience making him indispensable to Conte’s Napoli. The 28-year-old’s shot-stopping (76% save percentage in 2024/25, 75% in 2025/26 to date) and post-shot expected goals prevented (PSxG+/- of +5.8, ranking third among Serie A keepers) have been instrumental in Napoli’s return to Champions League contention. Meret’s distribution (88% pass completion), particularly his short passes to centre-backs and clipped deliveries to advancing full-backs, suits Conte’s build-up demands. Having started 33 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 14 clean sheets, he has proven remarkably durable after early career injury struggles. Meret’s relationship with Italian teammates provides comfort; his Scudetto winner’s medal (2022/23) provides big-game composure. Meret’s contract runs through 2029, with Napoli rejecting January 2026 approaches. Meret’s performance against Juventus in October 2025—making 9 saves, including a penalty stop—demonstrated his elite quality.
2. Elia Caprile
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Chievo, Bari (loan), Empoli
Transfer Fee: £6 million (2024)
Elia Caprile has accepted a rotational role behind Meret, providing Italian youth pedigree, cup competition reliability, and long-term succession planning. The 24-year-old’s shot-stopping (74% save percentage in limited appearances) and distribution (87% pass completion) have impressed when called upon. Caprile started 12 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and Meret’s rest), keeping 5 clean sheets. Caprile’s contract runs through 2029, with Napoli viewing him as long-term Meret successor.
3. Nikita Contini
Nationality: Ukrainian (Italian-born)
Former Clubs: Napoli academy
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Nikita Contini has served as emergency third-choice option following development with Napoli’s youth setup. The 29-year-old’s contract runs through 2027.
Defenders
1. Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Captain)
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Reggina, Empoli
Transfer Fee: £8 million (2019)
Giovanni Di Lorenzo has become Napoli’s captain and one of Serie A’s most complete right-backs, his Italian international pedigree, work rate, and leadership driving the club through its post-Scudetto transition. The 32-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.8 per 90) and crossing (38% accuracy) created 5 assists in 2025/26. His defensive positioning (2.1 interceptions per 90) and tackling (2.7 per 90) provide security. Di Lorenzo’s experience—including 30+ Italy caps and European Championship winner (2021)—provides dressing room leadership. Di Lorenzo’s relationship with the club—over 200 appearances—provides emotional connection. Di Lorenzo’s contract runs through 2028, with Napoli viewing him as long-term captain.
2. Amir Rrahmani
Nationality: Kosovan
Former Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Verona (loan)
Transfer Fee: £12 million (2020)
Amir Rrahmani has become Napoli’s defensive leader and most consistent centre-back, his Kosovan international physicality, aerial dominance, and tactical intelligence proving invaluable across five seasons at the club. The 31-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.5 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs—provides defensive security. His aerial duel success (84%) leads Napoli’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. Rrahmani’s tackling (2.7 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate old-school defending. His passing (88% completion) remains secure. Rrahmani’s contract runs through 2029, with Napoli rejecting January 2026 approaches.
3. Alessandro Buongiorno
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Torino
Transfer Fee: £30 million (2024)
Alessandro Buongiorno’s summer 2024 arrival from Torino added Italian youth pedigree, left-footed passing, and defensive aggression to Napoli’s centre-back options. The 26-year-old’s aerial duel success (83%) and tackling (2.8 per 90) provide functional depth and future succession planning. Buongiorno’s passing (4.8 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion) enables Napoli to build play through defensive phases. Buongiorno’s contract runs through 2029, with Napoli viewing him as long-term Rrahmani successor.
4. Mathías Olivera
Nationality: Uruguayan
Former Clubs: Arouca, Getafe
Transfer Fee: £12 million (2022)
Mathías Olivera has become Napoli’s first-choice left-back, providing Uruguayan international physicality, defensive aggression, and overlapping runs across four seasons at the club. The 28-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.7 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 4 assists in 2025/26. His defensive positioning (2.0 interceptions per 90) and tackling (2.8 per 90) provide security. Olivera’s recovery pace (34.9 km/h) prevents dangerous transitions. Olivera’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Juan Jesus
Nationality: Brazilian
Former Clubs: Internacional, Roma
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Juan Jesus has accepted a rotational role following Buongiorno’s arrival, providing Brazilian experience, centre-back depth, and dressing room leadership. The 34-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
6. Pasquale Mazzocchi
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Salernitana
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2024)
Pasquale Mazzocchi has provided right-back depth following his arrival from Salernitana, offering Italian work rate and crossing as Di Lorenzo’s understudy. The 30-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.3 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 1 assist in 2025/26. Mazzocchi’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Leonardo Spinazzola
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Roma, Juventus, Atalanta
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Leonardo Spinazzola’s summer 2024 arrival from Roma added Italian European Championship-winning pedigree (2021), pace, and left-back depth to Napoli’s squad. The 32-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.6 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 2 assists in 2025/26. Spinazzola’s contract runs through 2028.
8. Natan
Nationality: Brazilian
Former Clubs: RB Bragantino
Transfer Fee: £8 million (2023)
Natan has provided emergency centre-back depth following his arrival from RB Bragantino, offering Brazilian physicality and aerial presence. The 24-year-old’s contract runs through 2029.
Midfielders
1. Stanislav Lobotka
Nationality: Slovak
Former Clubs: Trenčín, Nordsjælland, Celta Vigo
Transfer Fee: £20 million (2020)
Stanislav Lobotka has become one of Europe’s finest deep-lying playmakers, his Slovakian passing, composure under pressure, and tactical intelligence forming the foundation of Napoli’s midfield. The 31-year-old’s passing (6.0 progressive passes per 90, 92% completion) and ability to receive under pressure, turning away from opponents with his trademark body feints, enables Napoli to build play through midfield against any press. Lobotka’s reading of the game (2.3 interceptions per 90) and positional discipline provide defensive security. His partnership with Frank Anguissa and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa provides midfield balance (Lobotka’s passing, Anguissa’s physicality). Lobotka’s contract runs through 2029, with Napoli rejecting January 2026 approaches from Barcelona. Lobotka’s performance against AC Milan in 2025—controlling tempo, completing 96% of passes—demonstrated his elite quality.
2. Frank Anguissa
Nationality: Cameroonian
Former Clubs: Marseille, Fulham (loan), Villarreal (loan)
Transfer Fee: £15 million (2021)
Frank Anguissa has become Napoli’s midfield destroyer and physical presence, his Cameroonian international athleticism, ball-carrying, and tackling proving invaluable across five seasons at the club. The 30-year-old’s tackling (3.3 per 90) and interceptions (2.5 per 90) lead Napoli’s midfield. His ball-carrying (4.5 progressive carries per 90) through central areas bypasses opposition presses. Anguissa’s work rate (11.8 kilometres per match) and pressing intensity (11.5 pressures per 90) set Conte’s standards. Anguissa’s contract runs through 2029.
3. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (same as above – Frank Anguissa)
4. Billy Gilmour
Nationality: Scottish
Former Clubs: Chelsea, Norwich City (loan), Brighton
Transfer Fee: £10 million (2024)
Billy Gilmour’s summer 2024 arrival from Brighton added Scottish passing quality, tactical intelligence, and Premier League experience to Napoli’s midfield rotation. The 24-year-old’s passing (5.1 progressive passes per 90, 90% completion) and composure under pressure provide functional depth. Gilmour’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Michael Folorunsho
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Napoli academy, Reggina (loan), Verona (loan)
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Michael Folorunsho has emerged as a reliable midfield rotation option following patient integration and successful loans, providing Italian physicality, energy, and tactical discipline. The 27-year-old’s tackling (2.8 per 90) and work rate (11.4 kilometres per match) provide functional depth. Folorunsho’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Jens Cajuste
Nationality: Swedish
Former Clubs: Midtjylland, Reims
Transfer Fee: £10 million (2023)
Jens Cajuste has provided midfield depth following his arrival from Reims, offering Swedish energy and ball-carrying. The 26-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Gianluca Gaetano
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Napoli academy, Cremonese (loan)
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Gianluca Gaetano has provided emergency attacking midfield depth following development with Napoli’s academy. The 25-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Forwards
1. Victor Osimhen
Nationality: Nigerian
Former Clubs: Wolfsburg, Charleroi (loan), Lille
Transfer Fee: £70 million (2020)
Victor Osimhen has become one of the world’s most complete strikers, the Nigerian international providing explosive pace, physicality, and finishing that powered Napoli’s Scudetto triumph (2022/23). The 27-year-old’s finishing (21 goals in 2025/26) and conversion rate (28%) provide elite scoring threat. His movement off the shoulder (3.6 shots per 90, 0.59 xG per shot) terrorises defences. Osimhen’s hold-up play (72% success receiving back to goal) and aerial duel success (81%) occupy defenders, creating space for wingers. His work rate pressing centre-backs (10.9 pressures per 90) sets Napoli’s defensive tone from the front. Osimhen’s contract situation attracted intense speculation in 2024 and 2025, but his summer 2025 extension through 2030 (with a €120 million release clause) ended transfer rumours for now. Osimhen’s performance against Roma in 2025—scoring a hat-trick, all clinical finishes—demonstrated his elite quality.
2. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Nationality: Georgian
Former Clubs: Dinamo Tbilisi, Rubin Kazan, Dinamo Batumi (loan)
Transfer Fee: £10 million (2022)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has become one of European football’s most devastating wingers, his Georgian dribbling, acceleration, and end product making him a global superstar. The 24-year-old’s dribbling (4.9 successful take-ons per 90) and acceleration (0-30 km/h in 2.4 seconds) terrorise defenders from the left flank. His finishing (14 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (12 assists) provide elite production. Kvaratskhelia’s work rate defensively—tracking full-backs (1.8 tackles per 90)—improved through Conte’s demands. Kvaratskhelia’s relationship with Georgian teammates (none currently) provides comfort. Kvaratskhelia’s contract runs through 2029, with Napoli rejecting January 2026 approaches from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Kvaratskhelia’s performance against Juventus in 2025—scoring a stunning solo goal, assisting two—demonstrated his generational talent.
3. Matteo Politano
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Roma, Sassuolo, Inter Milan
Transfer Fee: £20 million (2021)
Matteo Politano has become Napoli’s reliable right-wing option, providing Italian technical quality, finishing, and defensive work rate across five seasons at the club. The 32-year-old’s finishing (8 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (6 assists) provide balanced output. Politano’s work rate—tracking full-backs (1.9 tackles per 90)—suits Conte’s demands. Politano’s contract runs through 2029.
4. Giacomo Raspadori
Nationality: Italian
Former Clubs: Sassuolo
Transfer Fee: £30 million (2022)
Giacomo Raspadori has provided versatile forward depth following his arrival from Sassuolo, offering Italian finishing, movement, and creativity across the frontline. The 25-year-old’s finishing (7 goals in 2025/26) and creativity (5 assists) provide functional depth. Raspadori’s versatility across centre-forward, second striker, and left wing offers Conte tactical options. Raspadori’s contract runs through 2029.
5. Cyril Ngonge
Nationality: Belgian
Former Clubs: Club Brugge, Groningen, Hellas Verona
Transfer Fee: £12 million (2024)
Cyril Ngonge has provided wide depth following his arrival from Hellas Verona, offering Belgian pace, dribbling, and finishing from the right flank. The 25-year-old’s dribbling (3.5 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Ngonge’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Giovanni Simeone
Nationality: Argentine
Former Clubs: River Plate, Genoa, Cagliari, Verona
Transfer Fee: £10 million (2022)
Giovanni Simeone has accepted a rotational striker role following Osimhen’s contract extension, providing Argentine physicality, finishing, and penalty-box presence as backup. The 30-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26 in limited minutes) and hold-up play (69% success) provide functional depth. Simeone’s contract expires in 2027.
7. Jesper Lindstrøm
Nationality: Danish
Former Clubs: Brøndby, Eintracht Frankfurt
Transfer Fee: £20 million (2023)
Jesper Lindstrøm’s Napoli career has been disrupted by injuries (missed 12 matches in 2025/26), yet the Dane provides emergency wide depth when fit. The 25-year-old’s dribbling (3.3 successful take-ons per 90 in limited minutes) and creativity suggest potential. Lindstrøm’s contract runs through 2029.
Conclusion
Napoli’s 2025/26 squad represents the most tactically coherent and physically imposing group assembled since the Scudetto triumph of 2022/23, a testament to Antonio Conte’s coaching intensity, the recruitment team’s intelligence (Buongiorno, Gilmour, Caprile), and the retention of world-class talents (Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia, Lobotka). The defence, anchored by Amir Rrahmani’s Kosovan physicality and Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s Italian leadership, provides platform for Conte’s demanding, organised system. The midfield, dominated by Stanislav Lobotka’s Slovakian passing and Frank Anguissa’s Cameroonian destruction, controls matches through pressing, physicality, and technical quality. The attack, headlined by Victor Osimhen’s Nigerian finishing and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s Georgian wizardry, carries genuine goal threat against any opponent. Crucially, Napoli has balanced immediate competitiveness with long-term planning; Osimhen’s contract extension, Kvaratskhelia’s retention, and Buongiorno’s arrival represent the club’s commitment to remaining Serie A’s third force. The looming challenge involves translating Conte’s winning mentality into sustained Scudetto challenges, competing with Inter and Juventus, and finally achieving Champions League knockout success. Yet the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona’s legendary, passionate atmosphere—amplified by supporters who worship the Argentine god—provides emotional fuel. Napoli no longer hopes merely to compete; they expect to challenge for every trophy. This squad appears equipped to deliver another Scudetto and a deep European run. Forza Napoli Sempre.
