Flavio Paoletti (born 16 January 2003) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Serie B club Mantova.
Born in San Benedetto del Tronto and raised in Colli del Tronto,[2][3] Paoletti started playing football at local club Atletico Azzurra Colli,[2][3] before joining Sampdoria's youth sector in the summer of 2017.[2][4] He then progressed through the club's youth ranks, as he eventually became the captain of their under-19 squad,[2][3][5] and then signed his first professional contract in September 2022.[6]
During the 2022–23 season, Paoletti started training with Sampdoria's first team under head coach Dejan Stanković:[5] then, on 8 January 2023, he made his professional debut with the club, coming on as a substitute for Ronaldo Vieira in the 83rd minute of a 2–0 Serie A loss to Napoli.[3][7][8] Four days later, on 12 January, the midfielder made his first start in a professional game, together with team-mate Daniele Montevago, in a 1–0 Coppa Italia loss to Fiorentina.[9]
On 29 August 2023, Paoletti joined Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük on a permanent deal, signing a three-year contract with the club.[10][11]
On 26 January 2025, Paoletti signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Mantova in Serie B.[12]
Paoletti has represented Italy at youth international level, having played for the under-17 national team.[13][14]
In March 2023, he received a call-up to the Italian under-20 national team.[15]
Paoletti has been described as a versatile midfielder,[3][5] who can play either in a more defensive role or as a mezzala,[4] while also being able to cover in the center-back position.[3]
He cited Dennis Praet as a source of inspiration.[4]
Paoletti is a self-declared supporter of Sambenedettese, the main club based in his birthplace.[3][4]
| Club | Season | League | Cup[a] | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sampdoria | 2022–23 | Serie A | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 12 | 0 | ||
| Fatih Karagümrük | 2023–24 | Süper Lig | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||
