Mattia Destro
A pure Italian striker whose predatory instincts in the box promised greatness, though his career was a story of flashes and unfulfilled potential.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Italian footballer·Birthday: March 20·Millennials
Biography
Mattia Destro emerged from Inter Milan's youth academy carrying the weight of expectation as a natural goal-poacher. A prolific loan spell at Genoa in 2011-12, where he scored 12 Serie A goals, announced his arrival and earned a high-profile move to Roma. In the capital, he showed glimpses of his sharp finishing, most notably during a 2014-15 campaign where he found the net 13 times. Yet, despite his clear talent for being in the right place, his journey became one of nomadic loans—to Milan, Bologna, Genoa again—never quite securing a permanent home where he could consistently shine. His eight caps for Italy, including a call-up for the 2014 World Cup, highlighted the belief in his ability, but his story remains one of tantalizing 'what-ifs.'
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mattia was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mattia Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Mattia's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored 13 goals in 24 Serie A appearances for Roma during the 2014-15 season.
- Made his senior debut for the Italian national team in 2012 and was selected for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad.
- Won the Serie B title with Genoa in the 2021-22 season, contributing 9 goals in 30 appearances.
- Finished as the top scorer in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship with 4 goals, helping Italy win the tournament.
Did You Know?
His father, Flavio Destro, was also a professional footballer who played as a defender.
Destro scored a hat-trick for Italy's U-21 team against Liechtenstein in 2013.
He has played for both of Rome's major clubs, AS Roma and later on loan to Lazio's rivals, A.S. Roma.
He is known for his distinctive celebration, often pointing to the sky after scoring.
“The only thing that matters is the ball in the net.”
