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CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: Marco Palestra of Cagliari in action during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and US Lecce at Stadio Sant’Elia on February 16, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Marco Palestra has been named Serie A’s fastest player of the 2025/26 season, claiming the Frecciarossa Speed Award after recording the highest average sprint speed in the division throughout the campaign.
The Atalanta wing-back, who spent the season on loan at Cagliari, clocked an average sprint speed of 27.96 km/h, narrowly ahead of Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli at 27.92 km/h and Fiorentina’s Dodo at 27.77 km/h.
Palestra pips Hojlund speed crown ahead of summer market scramble
The award, presented by Serie A, measures average speed across all sprints above 25 km/h across the entire league season.
Last year’s winner was Jackson Tchatchoua, the Hellas Verona full-back who subsequently joined Wolverhampton last summer.
The recognition adds another accolade to what has been a remarkable season for Palestra, who also claimed the Serie A Best Defender award earlier this week and has established himself as one of the most coveted young players in Italian football ahead of an expected summer move.
Palestra has been linked heavily with a move to Inter, if he stays in Italy, whilst Premier League sirens are sounding out a move for the youngster.
Hojlund, meanwhile, appears to be edging closer to a permanent stay in Naples, after a strong campaign on loan with the Partenopei from Manchester United.
