Serie A is made up of 70% foreign players

Published:

By: Nicolas Gerbault

Serie A is made up of 70% foreign players

In Italy, the fascination with foreign players continues to grow, much to the chagrin of the Nazionale. In Serie A, the share of foreign players in appearances increased from 55.2% in 2017-2018 to 69.1% in 2025-2026. With the exception of the Premier League (75.4%), the richest and most international championship, and the Portuguese La Liga (73.8%), a traditional breeding ground for training, the other major European championships remain behind: 64.9% in Ligue 1, 61.4% in the Bundesliga and only 43.4% in La Liga, according to data from Transfermarkt.

The trend is also observed in the reserve teams. Foreign players represent 32.1% of Inter Milan’s reserve squad, 25.2% at Atalanta BC and 23.7% at Juventus, well above the average of the 56 other Serie C teams (12.3%). At AC Milan, whose reserve team plays in Serie D, the proportion even reaches 45%. A paradox at a time when the youth selections have achieved good results, notably with a Euro U17 won in 2024 and a Euro U19 won in 2023.

Nicolas Gerbault

Written by:

Nicolas Gerbault

Nicolas Gerbault is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Nicolas discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, his expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Nicolas enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans.