Alex Meret

Alex Meret ([ˈaleks meˈret]; born 22 March 1997) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Napoli.

Born in Udine, Meret began his career at an early age with amateur club Donatello Calcio before making a switch to the famous Udinese youth system in 2012. After rising through the academy system at the club, he made his senior debut in 2015. He later had spells on loan with SPAL, whom he helped win the Serie B title in 2017, and achieve promotion to Serie A. He joined Napoli in 2018.

At international level, Meret has represented Italy at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels, and made his senior debut for Italy in 2019.

Udinese

An Udinese youth product, Meret was promoted to the first team as second-choice goalkeeper behind Orestis Karnezis during the 2015–16 season. He made his senior professional debut on 2 December 2015 in the Coppa Italia against Atalanta.

In July 2016, Meret was sent on loan to Serie B club SPAL. He returned to SPAL on loan for the 2017–18 season.

Napoli

On 5 July 2018, Meret signed with Napoli until 30 June 2023. The transfer fee agreed with Udinese was reported as €35 million. He made his European debut on 14 February 2019, in a 3–1 away win over FC Zürich in the first leg of the round of 32 of the Europa League.

He was initially often used in a rotational role along with David Ospina during his first two seasons with Napoli; however, under the club's new manager Gennaro Gattuso, he was relegated to the bench, as the coach favoured the Colombian shot-stopper due to his superior ability with the ball at his feet. Due to a suspension to Ospina, however, Meret started in the 2020 Coppa Italia Final against Juventus on 17 June; following a goalless draw after regulation time, Meret saved Paulo Dybala's spot kick, helping his team earn a 4–2 penalty shoot-out victory.

Meret was a crucial member in the Italian U19 national team which took part in the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, finishing as runner-up after losing in the final; he was named in the team of the tournament alongside Kylian Mbappé of France.

In March 2017, following impressive performances for SPAL in Serie B, he was called up to the Italy squad for the World Cup qualification for a match against Albania and a friendly against the Netherlands.

On 22 March 2018, he made his debut with the Italy U21 team, playing as starter in a friendly match against Norway.

He took part in the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship under manager Luigi Di Biagio, as the team's first-choice goalkeeper.

Meret made his senior international debut for Italy under manager Roberto Mancini, on 18 November 2019, coming on as a substitute for Salvatore Sirigu in a 9–1 home win over Armenia, in Italy's final Euro 2020 qualifier.

Considered to be a talented and highly promising young goalkeeper in the Italian media, Meret is an agile goalkeeper, who possesses good reactions and shot-stopping abilities, despite his height and imposing physique, and who is known for his handling and ability to rush off his line. He has also drawn praise in the media for his decision–making, maturity, and calm composure under pressure, as well as his discipline and work ethic, despite his youth; moreover, he is capable of organising his defence effectively. Although he is competent with his feet, his distribution has been cited as an area in need of improvement. He has also struggled with phsyical problems and injuries thruoghout his career.

Club

As of match played on 28 July 2020

International

As of 18 November 2019

Club

SPAL

• Serie B: 2016–17

Napoli

• Coppa Italia: 2019–20

International

Italy U19

• UEFA Euro U19 Championship runners-up: 2016

Individual

• Primavera Girone B Goalkeeper of the Year: 2014–15
• UEFA European Under-19 Championship team of the tournament: 2016
• Serie B Goalkeeper of the Year: 2016–17