Matteo Ruggeri (; born 11 July 2002) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for club Aston Villa and the Italy national team.
Ruggeri is a product of the Atalanta academy and went on to make over 100 appearances for the side, including winning the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League where he was named in the 2023–24 Europa League Team of the Season. He transferred to Atlético Madrid in July 2025.
He has played for Italy at multiple youth team levels, most recently for Italy U21s. Ruggeri was called into the senior Italy squad for the first time in March 2025, and made his debut in September 2026.
Club career Atalanta Matteo Ruggeri grew up in Zogno, Lombardy, Italy, where he started playing football, before joining Atalanta's youth sector in 2011. He made his professional debut for Atalanta on 3 November 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 81st minute in a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Liverpool, which Atalanta lost 5–0 at home. Five days later, he made his Serie A debut in a 1–1 home draw against Inter.
Loan to Salernitana On 27 July 2021, Ruggeri joined newly-promoted Serie A club Salernitana on a season-long loan.
Return to Atalanta On 22 May 2024, Ruggeri started in Atalanta's 3–0 victory over German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final.
Atlético Madrid On 1 July 2025, Ruggeri joined La Liga side Atlético Madrid, signing a five-year contract.
Aston Villa On 19 August 2026, Ruggeri signed for Premier League club Aston Villa for an undisclosed transfer fee, reported to be around £17 million.
International career In March 2025, following regular appearances at multiple youth team levels, he was called up to the senior Italy squad for the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League quarter-final matches against Germany on 20 and 23 March 2025.
Ruggeri was called up with the Italy national team by head coach Roberto Mancini in replacement of the injured Federico Dimarco, for the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League matches against Belgium, Turkey and France between 25 September and 5 October 2026.
Ruggeri made his international debut on 28 September 2026, starting a 4–1 victory over Turkey.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAtalanta2020–21Serie A6000—20—802022–23Serie A15000———1502023–24Serie A34040—102—4822024–25Serie A30000—6020380Total85040—182201092Salernitana (loan)2021–22Serie A14010———150Atlético Madrid2025–26La Liga26050—15010470Aston Villa2026–27Premier League30001000—40Career total128010010332301752
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsItaly202620Total20
Honours Atalanta UEFA Europa League: 2023–24 Coppa Italia runner-up: 2020–21, 2023–24
Atlético Madrid Copa del Rey runner-up: 2025–26
Individual UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2023–24
References
External links Profile at the Atalanta BC website