Roma captain Manuela Giugliano has cemented her legacy as one of the finest midfielders in Italian women's football, being crowned MVP of the 2026/27 Serie A Women season. The recognition arrived at the Athora Game On - All Stars Night ceremony, where the league's elite gathered to honor individual excellence. Giugliano's award caps a remarkable campaign in which she led Roma to their third Scudetto in four years, underlining the club's domestic stranglehold.
With 12 goals and five assists from midfield, Giugliano's influence was undeniable. Her ability to dictate play, arrive in scoring positions, and inspire teammates transformed Roma into an relentless winning machine. "She is the heartbeat of this team, a player who rises to every challenge," observed one analyst, capturing the sentiment among those who followed Roma's triumphant journey.
The individual role awards highlighted a mix of established stars and emerging talents. Como Women's Astrid Gilardi took home both the Best Goalkeeper award and the Save of the Season for a stunning stop against Fiorentina in December. Roma's Shukurat Oladipo defended her title as best defender for the second consecutive year, showcasing the defensive steel behind Roma's success. Midfield maestro Giulia Dragoni and Inter's prolific striker Tessa Wullaert—who topped the goal charts with 14 strikes—were honored as best midfielder and attacker, respectively. Juventus youngster Estela Carbonell's breakout season earned her the Best Under-23 prize, while Valentina Bergamaschi's memorable strike in Roma-Juventus on 6 December won Goal of the Season.
The season's Top XI featured a heavy Roma presence, reflecting their dominant season. In goal, Gilardi represented Como Women, behind a defense of Caterina Ambrosi (Parma), Ivana Andrés (Inter), Oladipo, and Carbonell. The midfield trio was all Roma: Dragoni, Giada Greggi, and Giugliano. Up front, Cecilie Fløe (Napoli Women), Martina Piemonte (Lazio), and Wullaert formed a potent attack. Roma's five inclusions—including the entire midfield line—underline how their cohesive unit overwhelmed rivals.
Roma's dominance in the selections speaks to a squad built on tactical discipline and individual quality. Giugliano's MVP is a natural consequence of her leadership and statistical output, but the awards for Dragoni, Greggi, and Oladipo confirm that Roma's system empowers multiple stars. For the league, this concentration of talent at one club raises questions about competitiveness, though Inter and Juventus showed they can push the champions.
The Under-23 Team of the Season provided a glimpse into the future. Napoli Women's Beatrice Beretta claimed the goalkeeper spot, with a defensive line of Caterina Venturelli (Sassuolo), Federica D'Auria (Lazio), Marija Milinković (Inter), and Emma Lombardi (Fiorentina). In midfield, Maya Cherubini (Fiorentina) and Eva Schatzer (Juventus) demonstrated the depth of young playmakers. The attack featured Inter's Haley Bugeja, Ternana Women's Giada Pellegrino Cimò, Roma's Alice Corelli, and Milan's Thea Kyvåg—a collection of forwards already making senior impacts.
Carbonell and Schatzer stand out as Juventus' bright spots in an otherwise challenging season. Carbonell's integration into the senior Top XI alongside her Under-23 recognition marks her as a cornerstone for both club and country. Schatzer, a creative force in midfield, mirrored Giugliano's influence albeit in a developmental stage. Juventus will need to build around such talents to reclaim the title they last won before Roma's reign.
Beyond the awards, the ceremony underscored the rapid growth of Serie A Women. The league continues to attract international stars while nurturing homegrown talent, and events like the All Stars Night amplify visibility. The presence of inspirational figures like Bebe Vio as a special guest added symbolic weight, connecting football to wider cultural movements.
Looking ahead, the challenge for Roma is maintaining hunger after such accolades, while rivals must close the gap. The emergence of Under-23 stars across multiple clubs suggests a more balanced future. For Giugliano, the MVP award is both a personal milestone and a signal that her prime years are defining an era.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
