Luciano Valente will take the field against Como with a Dutch shirt on his back and an Italian thread still running through his story. The Feyenoord midfielder, born and raised in Groningen to a Roman father and Dutch mother, once imagined an Azzurri future. Instead, Ronald Koeman’s call settled a choice that Italy had left unresolved.
He is set to make his 10th start of the season for Feyenoord, carrying the captain’s armband at De Kuip and facing a Como side whose attacking approach has caught his attention. For Valente, it is also an opportunity to show Italian football the player it did not retain.
Quick facts
- Valente represented Italy at Under-19 and Under-20 level before joining the Netherlands Under-21 setup.
- He made his senior Netherlands debut in November 2025 against Lithuania, replacing Xavi Simons.
- Feyenoord signed him from Groningen in summer 2025 for €7 million.
- The 22-year-old has scored four Eredivisie goals this season as Feyenoord lead the league.
- He is expected to start against Como after Feyenoord’s heavy Champions League defeat to Barcelona.
Valente’s father Roberto, formerly a full-back with Siena and Maceratese, passed on a lasting attachment to Italy and Lazio. At home, Serie A was part of the routine, while Miroslav Klose became the young Valente’s favourite player despite the difference in roles.
“I had played for Italy’s youth sides and was willing to consider both national teams,” Valente said. “Italy did not contact me again, then Koeman called and the decision became straightforward.”
His route had already crossed both systems. After appearances for Italy’s Under-19 and Under-20 teams, he received a Netherlands Under-21 call-up and made his debut against Italy’s young side. The senior Oranje invitation arrived for the November 2025 internationals against Poland and Lithuania, with his first appearance coming in the latter match.
Groningen had been his football home for much of that journey. Valente came through the club’s academy, reached the Eredivisie first team and also experienced relegation there before Feyenoord moved for him.
Robin van Persie, who had previously coached him, pushed for the €7 million transfer in the summer of 2025. The former Netherlands striker described Valente as a player with instinct, technical quality, decisive passing and a strong desire to improve, calling him special.
His Feyenoord introduction was suitably unusual: Valente and the other new signings arrived at De Kuip by helicopter. He later admitted that flying did not suit him, saying he preferred to keep his feet on the ground.
That grounded side has helped him take responsibility quickly in Rotterdam. He has operated both in midfield and higher up the pitch, most comfortably as a midfielder in a 4-2-3-1, while also being used wide in a 4-3-3.
Four league goals have contributed to Feyenoord’s position at the top of the Eredivisie, although Europe has offered a harsher opening chapter. The Champions League campaign began with a heavy loss to Barcelona, making the Como match an immediate chance to reset.
Valente expects a proactive opponent. “Como are attacking-minded like we are and play good football,” he said, reserving particular praise for Nico Paz: “He is a fantastic player.”
Italy remains part of Valente’s character even as the Netherlands have become his international home. Against Como, the balance between those two worlds will be visible again: a Dutch international, captaining Feyenoord, with a family history and football education that still look south to Serie A.
