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Eleonora Incardona, the rising DAZN football presenter, is being hailed as the ‘next Diletta Leotta’. The former model and law graduate is currently dating Italian international Samuele Ricci.
Italian football fans are known for their passion, and their sports presenters are just as admired. One name making waves is Eleonora Incardona, the DAZN host who has been dubbed the ‘next Diletta Leotta’.
The 34-year-old regularly reports from iconic stadiums such as San Siro in Milan and Allianz Stadium in Turin, captivating audiences with her expertise and charisma.
With over one million followers on Instagram, she has built a strong fanbase, sharing glimpses of her life both on and off the pitch. This includes her relationship with Italian international Samuele Ricci, who plays for Torino.
From law graduate to football presenter
Born in Sicily, Eleonora initially pursued a career in law, but her life took a turn in 2010 when she participated in the Miss Italia competition. The experience led to modeling opportunities and a growing presence as an influencer.
Her breakthrough in sports media came when Sportitalia offered her a role, and in 2023, she joined DAZN as part of their Giro d'Italia coverage. It wasn’t long before the streaming giant recognized her talent and brought her into football broadcasting.
Earlier this month, Eleonora stepped in for Diletta Leotta to present DAZN’s coverage of Juventus vs Inter Milan. Fans quickly noticed, with many calling her “the new Diletta” and suggesting she could become a permanent fixture.
A passion for football and a new romance
Football has always been more than just a job for Eleonora. She shared her passion with La Gazzetta dello Sport: “The stadium is something special for me. The opportunity to be close to the action, to study the details, to understand what is happening by listening to the voices of the protagonists, gives something extra that is difficult to explain.”
She also recalled her earliest experiences with football: “I cannot forget the first matches I saw live in Catania.”
Off the field, Eleonora has found happiness with Samuele Ricci. The couple confirmed their relationship on Instagram in 2024. Before meeting Ricci, she was engaged to Diletta Leotta’s stepbrother Mirko Manolo.
Speaking about her relationship, she said: “I am very happy with him. I met him in one of the most complicated periods of my life. I was only thinking about work to distract myself from everything else. And instead, I met a wonderful person, with sound principles and strong values.”