Naples, who is Antonio Vergara, the midfielder that Conte likes

To talk about Antonio Vergara and his prospects, we must start from a fundamental and far from obvious aspect: having the utmost consideration for the coach and the captain. A sign of a structured personality, essential to stand out at high levels, in addition obviously to talent. And he doesn’t miss that. In his first start with Napoli, Vergara provided the assist to Lucca in the Italian Cup: his left foot drew a perfect trajectory for the center forward’s head. The beginning of the affirmation passes through the opportunities that are seized and Antonio didn’t let it pass under his nose. It is not surprising, then, that Conte has not yet decided who will partner McTominay in midfield against Juventus. The idea of ​​fielding Vergara is more than a temptation, even if not yet a certainty.

career

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The summer was revelatory. Raised in the club’s youth ranks, Vergara wore the shirts of Pro Vercelli (Serie C) and Reggiana (Serie B). In Emilia he went through the darkest moment, which coincided with the rupture of the cruciate ligament. But this has not obscured his desire to emerge: last season he scored 5 goals in 32 appearances. Numbers that convinced Napoli to give him a chance. He could have fallen back into a round of loans in which so many of the club’s prospects were trapped. But Conte observed it and was impressed. He tested him in multiple positions, put him to the test every day, until he considered him a real asset. The respect is mutual: Vergara looks to his coach as a guide, both technical and mental. From that summer job came his debut in Serie A on 23 August 2025 in Sassuolo, the renewal until 30 June 2030 signed on 19 October, his debut in the Champions League on 25 November against Qarabag and, now, his first start in the Italian Cup complete with an assist. Dreaming of the job from the start against Juventus.

the origins

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Originally from Frattaminore, left-footed, he was born an attacking midfielder but can play as an attacking midfielder and midfielder. He has a good vision of the game, loves insertions into the area, knows how to dribble in tight spaces and doesn’t hold back when there is pressure to do. His idol is Piotr Zielinski, and something in the movements between the lines really reminds us of him. In the locker room, Giovanni Di Lorenzo dotes on him. The story begins early, in the Neapolitan hinterland. At eleven he started with Frattese, then moved to Virtus Crispano and finally to Napoli, thanks to the intuition of the brothers Marco and Francesco Lodi. In the Italian youth sector he worked his way up to the Primavera, contributing to the promotion to the Primavera 1 Championship in the 2020-21 season. “In the Napoli youth team I was the shortest of all and I was examined by a doctor to understand if there was something wrong.” Instead everything was fine, it just needed time.

the turning point

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The leap among the greats comes with the loan to Pro Vercelli in the 2022-23 season: Serie C, tough environment, 34 championship games, 3 goals and 4 assists. A full season, made up of playing time, blows taken and trust gained, the basis on which to build the rest. In the summer of 2023 he moved to Reggiana in Serie B. The start was promising, then on 16 September, against Cremonese, the hardest moment arrived: rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, season ended early. For an introverted but characterful boy it is a real test, more mental than physical. The answer came a few months later: on 1 February 2024 the loan was renewed for the 2024-25 season, a sign of confidence from the Granata club and Napoli. Having returned to the national team a few months ago, he presented himself as a done and finished professional.

privacy

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Off the pitch, Vergara remains true to his being: a reserved person, little noise and many facts. He loves the sea, he spent his summers – thanks to his young age – in Ibiza and Santorini, he is passionate about fashion and takes great care of the details of his style. He melts when he talks about his niece Aurora, his sister’s daughter, to whom he also dedicated a tattoo. Head and heart: Vergara has everything to build a promising present and a future as a protagonist.