Nicola Nanni (born 2 May 2000) is a Sammarinese footballer who plays as a forward for Italian club Arzignano and the San Marino national team. He is considered one of the most experienced Sammarinese football players along with Massimo Bonini. He is one of only a few professional footballers from San Marino.
Nanni was born in Borgo Maggiore.
In July 2016, Nanni joined Cesena from San Marino Calcio for his first move outside of his homeland.
He signed a 5-year deal for Crotone of Serie B on 3 August 2018. Three days later he made his professional debut during a 4âÂÂ0 victory against Giana Erminio in the 2018âÂÂ19 Coppa Italia. On 29 August 2019, he joined Monopoli on loan.
Nanni received the 2019 , an honour given to the best San Marino footballer under the age of 23.
On 23 September 2020, he returned to Cesena on loan. Nanni was loaned out again, this time to Lucchese 1905 of Serie C, in August 2021 for the 2021âÂÂ22 season.
On 15 July 2022, Nanni signed a two-year contract with Olbia in Serie C.
On 6 September 2024, Nanni joined Serie C club Torres.
Nanni made his senior national team debut on 15 November 2018 in a 2018âÂÂ19 UEFA Nations League D match against Moldova.
He scored his first senior international goal on 5 September 2021 in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Poland. Though San Marino ultimately lost 7âÂÂ1, Nanni's goal was his nation's first home goal in World Cup qualification in eight years.
On 15 November 2024, during a 2024âÂÂ25 UEFA Nations League D game against Gibraltar, he scored his second goal (on a penalty) with San Marino, an equalizer which enabled his country to draw against Gibraltar 1-1, thus becoming the fourth Sammarinese ever to score more than one goal after Andy Selva, Manuel Marani and Filippo Berardi.
Three days later on 18 November 2024, during a UEFA Nations League D game against Liechtenstein, he scored his third goal for San Marino on a penalty, thus becoming the first Sammarinese to score in two consecutive games and the third ever to score more than two goals. The game resulted in a 3âÂÂ1 win which saw San Marino get promoted to League C of the 2026âÂÂ27 UEFA Nations League.
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