Riccardo Saponara
An Italian playmaker whose elegant vision and creative spark made him a fan favorite at Empoli and Fiorentina.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Italian footballer·Birthday: December 21·Millennials
Biography
Riccardo Saponara emerged from the youth ranks of Ravenna, his technical grace quickly marking him as a different kind of midfielder. His breakout came at Empoli, where his assists and knack for the spectacular helped secure promotion to Serie A, making him the league's assist leader in the process. A move to AC Milan followed, though it was in the violet shirt of Fiorentina where he truly captured imaginations, weaving plays with a classic number ten's flair. Injuries and a nomadic later career couldn't dim the memory of his peak, where he represented a fading breed of pure fantasisti, capable of unlocking a defense with a single, perfectly weighted pass.
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.
Riccardo 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 Riccardo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Riccardo'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
- Led Serie B in assists with 16 during the 2013-14 season, driving Empoli to promotion.
- Scored a memorable backheel goal for Fiorentina against Juventus in the Coppa Italia in 2017.
- Made over 100 appearances in Serie A for clubs including Milan, Fiorentina, and Sampdoria.
Did You Know?
He is known by the nickname 'Saponara' which is also the name of his hometown.
He began his professional career at Serie C club Ravenna at age 16.
He has a distinctive celebration where he mimics looking through a camera lens.
“A pass is not a gift to a teammate; it is a command to score.”
