Davide Santon (born 2 January 1991) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a left back for Italian club Internazionale and the Italy national team. He started his career as a right sided attacker or winger, later reverting to an attacking full back or wing-back who can play on both sides, and is known for his pacy, energetic runs down the flank. Santon also possesses notable strength, as well as good dribbling technique and defensive awareness. His precocious displays for Inter and Italy in 2009 led his coaches at the time, José Mourinho and Marcello Lippi, to describe him as a "predestined player", also comparing him to legendary Italian left-backs such as Paolo Maldini and Giacinto Facchetti. In 2010, he was included in the Don Balón list of the best young footballers in the