Dimarco Wins Serie A Player of the Year at Gran Gala del Calcio
Inter carried their dominance from the pitch to the stage at the Gran Gala del Calcio, walking away with the Serie A Club of the Year award on a night painted in Nerazzurri colours.
At the heart of it all stood Federico Dimarco. The wing-back, whose left foot has become one of the league’s most feared weapons, was voted Serie A Player of the Year by his fellow professionals – the most personal of endorsements in a room full of rivals and teammates.
The Team of the Season underlined just how deeply Inter’s fingerprints are stamped on this campaign. The chosen XI read like a roll call of the league’s standout performers: Mile Svilar in goal; Marco Palestra, Alessandro Bastoni and Manuel Akanji at the back; Scott McTominay anchoring midfield with Luka Modric and Hakan Calhanoglu; Nico Paz in support of an attacking trio of Lautaro Martinez, Donyell Malen and the newly crowned player of the year, Dimarco.
“Receiving an award like this is unique,” he said, clearly moved by the recognition. Last season he set the assist record; now he is already looking for another level, talking openly about pushing his attacking numbers even higher for Inter.
Lautaro Martinez, the captain and constant reference point of this Inter side, also took his turn on stage. He, too, was honoured by his peers and underlined what sits behind the trophies and the numbers.
“It is always an honour to receive votes from colleagues,” Lautaro said. “We have a great group and had a fantastic season.”
Dimarco’s rise has not been a straight climb. He traced his turning point back to one of the darkest nights of his career: the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. That loss still burns, but he has turned it into fuel.
“My breakthrough? It all started after the lost Champions League final against PSG, which pushed us to give our absolute maximum,” he explained, framing heartbreak as the spark for his transformation.
Yet even on a night built for celebration, there was a reminder of unresolved business off the pitch. Dimarco’s contract situation remains in limbo. Negotiations over an extension have not started, a surprising admission given his status and the season he has just delivered.
“Renewal? Unfortunately, we haven’t spoken about it,” he admitted. “I hoped it would happen after last season’s performance.”
The words cut through the glamour of the gala. Inter’s Club of the Year stands on stage; their Player of the Year wonders when the club will sit down to secure his future.
He did not linger on the subject. Dimarco quickly steered his thoughts back to the pitch, and to a familiar obstacle.
“Now I want to remain focused on the match against Napoli,” he added. “We haven’t been able to win against them for too long.”
On a night of spotlights and silverware, Inter celebrated what they are. Dimarco’s eyes, though, were already fixed on what comes next – a contract still to be discussed, and a Napoli hurdle still to be cleared.
