Riccardo Cassano: Full Como 1907 Player Profile
Career, Italy call-up, playing style and the rise of Como’s homegrown midfield prospect under Cesc Fàbregas.
Riccardo Cassano is one of the most exciting homegrown prospects in the Como 1907 squad. Born in 2009 and developed by the club’s academy, he is a technically refined midfielder who can operate as a deep-lying playmaker or central midfielder.
His vision, positional awareness and ability to organise possession have earned comparisons with Sergio Busquets and Andrea Pirlo. Cesc Fàbregas has involved him in first-team training and senior matchday squads.
His rise reached a new level in November 2026 when Roberto Mancini included the 17-year-old in Italy’s senior squad before his competitive first-team debut.
7 essential facts about Riccardo Cassano
- Born in 2009He was born on 18 March 2009.
- Como academy productHe began playing for Como at six.
- Deep-lying playmakerHe organises possession from in front of defence.
- First-team call-upsFàbregas selected him in 2025-26.
- Italy U18 internationalHe debuted in September 2026.
- Senior Italy call-upMancini selected him in November 2026.
- No relation to Antonio CassanoThe shared surname is a coincidence.
Quick facts
Who is Riccardo Cassano?
Riccardo Cassano is an Italian midfielder born in Olgiate Comasco on 18 March 2009. He is the son of Stefano Cassano, a coach in Como’s academy, and has been connected to the club since childhood.
He joined Como at six. After the club’s collapse, he spent two seasons with Shape Village in Appiano Gentile, an Inter-affiliated school, before returning to Como in 2020.
Como academy journey
Cassano progressed through Como’s youth categories as a midfielder valued for control, vision and decision-making. In 2025-26 he made 26 appearances and supplied four assists for the Under-17 side while beginning to train regularly with the first team.
Promoted to the Primavera for 2026-27, he played in Primavera 1 and the UEFA Youth League. He scored away against Lens and then netted the winner against Fiorentina at Viola Park while Italy coach Roberto Mancini watched from the stands.
First-team pathway
Fàbregas selected Cassano for senior matchday squads against Parma and Cremonese. In a pre-season friendly against Paris FC, Cassano started and assisted Anastasios Douvikas.
First senior Italy call-up
On 5 November 2026, Roberto Mancini named Cassano in Italy’s 31-player squad for Nations League matches against France and Belgium. He became the first player born in 2009 to receive a senior Italy call-up.
The FIGC explained that the invitation was an observation and development opportunity. Cassano would spend the opening days with the senior squad before joining the youth team preparing for the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Playing style
Deep-lying playmaker
Cassano receives in front of the defence, connects the centre-backs with midfield and controls the tempo of possession.
Vision and passing
He can combine in short spaces, play vertically between the lines and switch play accurately.
Body orientation
His receiving stance helps him understand pressure, protect the ball and move possession efficiently.
Defensive contribution
He reads passing lanes, intercepts possession and protects the zone in front of the back line.
Role in Cesc Fàbregas’s system
Fàbregas expects the deepest midfielder to offer a constant passing option, receive under pressure and help Como progress centrally. Those demands suit Cassano’s technical and cognitive qualities.
He can operate as a single pivot or alongside another midfielder. Comparisons with Busquets and Pirlo concern role, movement and interpretation, not proven senior-level status.
Recent youth statistics
| Season | Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Como U17 | 26 | Not stated | 4 |
| 2026-27 | Como Primavera 1 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
The 2026-27 figures should be updated as the season progresses.
International career
Cassano made his Italy U18 debut in a 3-1 friendly win over Denmark on 29 September 2026. In November, he joined the senior Italy camp before returning to the youth setup for the Under-17 World Cup.
Key strengths
- Vision
- Passing range
- First touch
- Body orientation
- Positional intelligence
- Tempo control
- Press resistance
- Interceptions
- Long switches
- Tactical maturity
Why Riccardo Cassano is important to Como
Cassano represents a locally developed player growing within an ambitious European project. His pathway connects Como’s academy, Primavera, first-team environment and the Italian national-team structure.
The senior Italy call-up created national attention, but his long-term importance depends on a gradual transition into professional football.