Inter captain Lautaro Martinez is the early favorite to be named Serie A player of the season in 2026/27 after winning last term’s Capocannoniere with 17 league goals. He heads a shortlist packed with talent, from the rising Juventus number 10 Kenan Yildiz to Como playmaker Nico Paz and United States captain Christian Pulisic. Here is how the race for the best player in Serie A looks as the new campaign kicks off.
Why this list matters
The Serie A player of the season race sets the tone for the whole campaign. It tells you which stars carry the title contenders, which young talents are ready to explode, and which names American fans should follow on Paramount+ every weekend.
Last season showed how open the debate can be. Inter left back Federico Dimarco took the official MVP award, proving that the honor no longer belongs only to strikers.
For 2026/27 the field is deep. These five players have the platform, the form, and the ambition to finish the year as the best player in Serie A.
5. Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic is the name that matters most to American soccer fans, and he has the numbers to back up the attention. The Milan forward has turned into one of the most reliable creators in the league since his move to San Siro.
Pulisic blends goals with assists from a free role behind the striker. That versatility keeps him central to everything Milan build going forward.
- Serie A goal contributions in 2025/26: 12
The United States captain enters this season fresh from a home World Cup summer that put him in front of a huge American audience. A strong Milan campaign would push him straight into the player of the season conversation.
4. Federico Dimarco
Federico Dimarco is the reigning Serie A MVP, and no one should rule out a repeat. The Inter left back rewrote the record books last season with a level of creativity rarely seen from his position.
His deliveries from the left flank fuel the Inter attack. He also chips in with goals from set pieces and long range strikes.
- Serie A assists in 2025/26: 18
That tally set a new single season record for the Italian top flight and made Dimarco the first defender ever to win the league MVP. If Inter chase another Scudetto, his numbers will stay near the top of every chart.
3. Nico Paz
Nico Paz is the jewel of the Como project, and he chose to stay for another season rather than return to Real Madrid. The Argentine playmaker was voted the best midfielder in Serie A last term, a stunning honor for a player at a smaller club.
Paz creates and scores in equal measure. He drifts between the lines, picks the final pass, and finishes chances that most midfielders would never reach.
- Serie A goals in 2025/26: 12
He added six assists to that total and carried Como into European contention under Cesc Fabregas. Another year of growth could make him the most talked about talent in Italy.
2. Kenan Yildiz
Kenan Yildiz is the face of the new Juventus, and many already tip him as a future Ballon d’Or contender. The Turkish forward wears the famous number 10 and was named the league’s rising star of the year in 2025/26.
Yildiz saves his best for the biggest games. He scored and assisted against Inter and struck the winner against Napoli, the kind of moments that define a season.
- Age going into 2026/27: 21
At just 21 he already leads Juventus for goals and carries their creative burden. With a valuation around 75 million euros, a breakout year would seal his place among the elite.
1. Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez is the favorite for a simple reason: he combines elite scoring with the captaincy of the champions. The Argentine striker won the Capocannoniere last season and lifted the Scudetto and Coppa Italia double with Inter.
Lautaro delivers in the moments that decide titles. He presses, he links the play, and he finishes with a calm that few forwards in the world can match.
- Serie A goals in 2025/26: 17
He is also the bookmakers’ pick to be the top scorer again in 2026/27. As long as Inter chase honors on every front, their captain will lead the race for the best player in Serie A.
The verdict
Lautaro Martinez starts as the man to beat, backed by trophies, goals, and the armband at the strongest club in Italy. Kenan Yildiz is the closest challenger and could take over the moment he adds consistency to his flair.
Nico Paz, Federico Dimarco, and Christian Pulisic all have the ceiling to surprise everyone. The beauty of Serie A is that the player of the season often emerges from the title run itself, so expect this race to swing week by week.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the favorite to be Serie A player of the season in 2026/27?
Lautaro Martinez is the favorite. The Inter captain won the Capocannoniere with 17 goals last season and remains the bookmakers’ pick to lead the scoring charts again.
Who won the Serie A MVP award last season?
Federico Dimarco won the 2025/26 Serie A MVP. The Inter left back set a single season assist record with 18 assists and became the first defender to claim the honor.
Which American player could win Serie A player of the season?
Christian Pulisic is the leading American candidate. The United States captain is a key creator for Milan and one of the most watched players in the league for US fans.
Where can I watch Serie A in the United States in 2026/27?
Every Serie A match streams on Paramount+ in the US, with select games on CBS and free fixtures on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. A Paramount+ subscription covers all 380 matches plus the Coppa Italia.
AC Milan
Christian Pulišić
Lautaro Martinez