Overview
Mattia Perin is an accomplished Italian professional footballer, primarily known for his role as a goalkeeper. Born on November 10, 1992, in Latina, Italy, Perin has established himself as a reliable presence between the posts in Serie A. Standing at 1.88 meters, his physical attributes complement his agile goalkeeping style, making him a formidable opponent for attacking players. Throughout his career, Perin has garnered experience at various levels of Italian football, including a long tenure with Genoa and a move to Italian giants Juventus.
Position
As a goalkeeper, Perin's primary responsibilities involve preventing goals. This encompasses shot-stopping, commanding his penalty area, and initiating play from the back. His role demands strong decision-making, physical bravery, and excellent reflexes. Perin is often positioned as a traditional shot-stopper, relying on his quick reactions and acrobatic saves to deny opposition forwards. His understanding of defensive positioning and ability to organize the backline are also key components of his game.
Identity
Mattia Perin's identity on the pitch is characterized by his athleticism and a penchant for spectacular saves. He is often described as an agile and reactive goalkeeper, capable of making crucial interventions in high-pressure situations. Despite facing significant injury setbacks during his career, Perin has consistently demonstrated resilience and a commitment to maintaining a high performance level. His career trajectory, from a promising youth talent to a seasoned professional at top clubs, underscores his enduring quality and determination in the demanding role of a Serie A goalkeeper.
Career path
Mattia Perin's football journey began in the youth ranks before ascending to professional football, primarily in Italy's top flight. His early development laid the foundation for a career marked by significant spells at Genoa CFC and Juventus FC.
Early Career & Genoa Debut
Perin began his youth career at Pistoiese and subsequently joined Genoa's academy in 2008. He quickly progressed through their youth system, showcasing the potential that would later see him become a senior international. His senior debut for Genoa occurred on May 22, 2011, in a Serie A match against Cesena, marking the beginning of his professional career at the club where he would spend the majority of his formative years as a first-team player [Transfermarkt].
Loan Spells and Establishing Himself
To gain valuable first-team experience, Perin was sent on loan to Padova in Serie B for the 2011–12 season, where he made 25 appearances. Following this, he spent the 2012–13 season on loan at Pescara in Serie A, making 29 appearances [Wikipedia]. These loan spells were crucial in his development, allowing him to hone his skills and gain consistent playing time. Upon his return to Genoa, he solidified his position as the first-choice goalkeeper, becoming a key figure for the club for several seasons.
Move to Juventus
In July 2018, Perin made a significant move to Serie A champions Juventus for a reported fee of €12 million plus bonuses [Transfermarkt]. At Juventus, he primarily served as a backup to Wojciech Szczęsny. Despite limited appearances, he contributed to the team's successes, including winning the Serie A title in his debut season. In January 2020, Perin returned to Genoa on a loan deal, initially for six months, which was later extended for the entire 2020–21 season, providing him with regular playing time once again. He subsequently returned to Juventus and has remained with the club, continuing to provide experience and depth in the goalkeeping department.
Playing style
Mattia Perin's playing style is characterized by his athletic shot-stopping, agility, and quick reflexes, making him a traditional, yet effective, presence in goal. He is often recognized for his ability to make acrobatic saves and react swiftly to close-range shots, reflecting a reliance on natural athleticism rather than a more modern, sweeper-keeper approach.
Technical Attributes
Perin's primary strength lies in his excellent shot-stopping. He possesses strong hands and the ability to palm away powerful shots, often diving or getting down quickly to save low efforts. His reflexes are particularly sharp, allowing him to react to deflections and unexpected changes in shot direction. According to FBref data, his save percentage statistics across various seasons highlight his consistency in denying opposition attackers. While not renowned for extensive distribution or playing out from the back in the style of some contemporary goalkeepers, Perin is competent with his short passing and can initiate attacks when required, opting for precision over an expansive range.
Aerial Command and Positioning
At 1.88 meters, Perin has a good frame for commanding his penalty area. He is generally confident in coming off his line to claim crosses, though this is not always his most dominant attribute compared to his shot-stopping. His positioning is sound, allowing him to cut down angles effectively and anticipate where shots are likely to be placed. This combination of anticipatory movement and reactive athleticism makes him a difficult goalkeeper to beat. His style often draws comparisons to classic Italian goalkeepers known for their reliability and spectacular moments, rather than those who are integral to their team's build-up play from deep.
Mental Acumen
Perin has demonstrated mental resilience throughout his career, particularly in overcoming significant injury setbacks, including multiple anterior cruciate ligament tears. This has forged a goalkeeper who is not only technically capable but also mentally tough, capable of performing under pressure. His experience at both Genoa, where he was a clear number one, and Juventus, where he has often served as a high-quality backup, showcases his adaptability and professional approach to the role.
Achievements & honours
Mattia Perin's career has seen him accumulate a number of significant team honours, primarily during his time with Juventus, alongside individual recognition reflecting his quality as a goalkeeper.
Club Honours
Perin has been part of successful squads, contributing to league titles and domestic cup triumphs. His most prominent successes have come with Juventus, where he has consistently been a part of teams competing for major silverware both domestically and in Europe. While often serving as a backup, his role has been crucial in maintaining squad depth and quality.
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Juventus | Serie A | 2018–19 |
| Juventus | Coppa Italia | 2023–24 |
| Juventus | Supercoppa Italiana | 2018 |
| Juventus | Supercoppa Italiana | 2020 |
Individual Recognition
While Perin has not received an extensive list of individual awards, his consistent performances, particularly during his time as the first-choice keeper at Genoa, earned him considerable praise and recognition as one of Italy's most promising goalkeepers. His inclusion in various national team squads for major tournaments also serves as an acknowledgement of his standing within Italian football.
International career
Mattia Perin has represented Italy at various youth levels before earning caps for the senior national team, the Azzurri. His international career has seen him primarily serve as a backup option, though he has demonstrated his capabilities when called upon.
Youth Development
Perin was a regular fixture in Italy's youth international setups, playing for the U17, U18, U19, and U21 teams. He notably participated in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he was the starting goalkeeper for Italy [FIFA]. This early exposure to international competition helped prepare him for the demands of senior football.
Senior National Team
Perin received his first call-up to the senior Italy squad in August 2012 under Cesare Prandelli for a friendly match against England. He made his senior international debut on November 18, 2014, in a friendly against Albania, coming on as a substitute [UEFA]. This marked a significant milestone in his career, validating his performances at club level.
Tournament Participation
He was included in Italy's 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, though he did not make an appearance [FIFA]. Perin was also part of the Italy squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and later selected for the 2020 UEFA European Championship squad, again as a backup goalkeeper. Despite limited opportunities as a starter due to the presence of other established Italian goalkeepers, Perin has consistently been considered a reliable option, demonstrating the depth of goalkeeping talent within Italian football. As of May 2026, he has accumulated 2 senior international caps for Italy.
What makes Mattia Perin stand out
Mattia Perin stands out primarily for his exceptional shot-stopping ability and pure athleticism between the posts. His capacity for making acrobatic and reflex saves, particularly in one-on-one situations or from close range, has been a consistent highlight throughout his career. This raw goalkeeping talent allows him to turn seemingly impossible shots into saves, often snatching points for his team.
Another distinguishing trait is his resilience. Perin has overcome multiple serious knee injuries, a testament to his mental fortitude and dedication. Returning to top-level football after such setbacks, and maintaining a high standard of performance, underscores his strong character and commitment to his craft. He is also noted for his composure and leadership qualities, particularly during his captaincy spells at Genoa.
"Perin has always been a goalkeeper with incredible reflexes and an ability to make saves that others can only dream of."