The 2026 edition of UEFA Euro U17 finished on June 8, 2026, with Italy lifting the European trophy after beating Belgium on penalties.
The U17 Euros unveiled a new generation of Italian talents who might represent the hope of Italy for the upcoming continental and international tournaments.
Following the failure to qualify to the last three World Cup editions, the Azzurri are definitely in need of working harder on developing young talents to potentially have a better generation in the near future.
Italy's U17 European Triumph Signals a New Beginning
The success in lifting the Euros trophy for under 17 comes at the perfect timing to build a more powerful senior Italian team and make up for the previous recurrent failures.
With a journey that started with Italy topping group B thanks to beating all of France and Montenegro, and drawing 3-3 against Denmark.
The knockout phase saw Italy beating Spain on penalties before reaching the final and succeeding in winning the penalty shootouts after a 1-1 final result.
Christian Lupo: The Goalkeeper Carrying Buffon Comparisons
Although it is too early to compare between Lupo and Buffon, the actual signs say that Lupo promises to have a bright future as a goalkeeper if he keeps on working hard and developing his skills.
The Italian goalkeeper has got the personality, reflexes, and quick reactions needed to become a confirmed goalkeeper at the senior level very soon.
Let’s not forget that the latest top Italian goalkeeper was already starting games with the Milan senior team at the age of 16.
This means that Lupo has the possibility to follow this tendency of playing for a senior team at a young age, as he has surely attracted the interest of several teams especially in Italy.
Knowing that he actually play for Lecce’s U20 team, Lupo’s top performances in the Euros and especially his impressive personality and the decisive saves made during the penalty shootouts will certainly make him either join Lecce’s senior team or move to a bigger club.
Thomas Corigliano: Italy's Next Great Playmaker?
Italy has always been a country where creative playmakers like Francesco Totti were born.
During the last few years, this was not the case as Italy failed to produce players with the same quality of their golden eras.
Thomas Corigliano performed convincingly during the Euros, confirming that he represents one of Italy’s top emerging talents in terms of attacking players.
Italy’s midfield wonderkid characterised by excellent passing techniques and dribbling flair, something that allows him to deal well with tight spaces and be very dangerous when moving with the ball between the lines.
Corigliano also confirmed during the Euros that he should not be underestimated in terms of finishing, as his left-footed shooting techniques and abilities in terms of volleys have been impressive.
Based on his latest performances, it will not be surprising to see Corigliano playing in Serie A next season.
Federico Croci: The Striker Offering Hope for Italy's Future
Fiorentina’s U17 and Italy’s U17 striker, Federico Croci, has been one of the pleasant surprises of this tournament too, thanks mainly to his right and left-footed clinical finishing.
Croci scored a decisive goal against Spain in the semifinals and was an overall reliable striker for the team throughout the tournament.
With his team Fiorentina U17, he scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists in 9 appearances, an outstanding goal contribution average that can be consolidated if Croci keeps developing and doing better in front of goal.
It is no secret to anyone that Italy are suffering from a lack of reliable strikers on a senior team level.
This can only represent a further source of motivation for Croci to potentially play for a senior club team as soon as possible, something that would help him in developing quickly and showing what he is up to on a senior level whether on a club level or on a international level.
