Sassuolo forward Cristian Volpato has finally put an end to the discussion of which national team he would represent, with the dual-nationality playmaker set to represent Australia in the near future. He had earlier turned down the chance to star for Australia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, claiming he ‘felt more Italian.’
Grazie Italia: Christian Volpato and Alessandro Circati on course to represent Australia together at the 2023 Asian Cuphttps://t.co/YRQHbXf3zN pic.twitter.com/YCKNrhYZFa
— Forbes SportsMoney (@ForbesSports) October 18, 2023
Having represented Italy internationally at youth level since 2022, Volpato had the choice of taking it a step further with the Azzurri, but it will be the Socceroos who will benefit from his presence instead.
According to the Daily Mail, the 19-year-old prodigy agreed to join Australia thanks to the convincing of Graham Arnold. The Socceroos coach tried his best to lure Volpato last year, but it was his trip this summer to Italy that really convinced Volpato to jump from the Italy U19 setup.
The pair were reportedly in talks for over an hour at the Mapei Stadium after Sassuolo beat Juventus 4-2 before the international break. Arnold’s plans for Volpato are yet to be ratified officially.
“I’m communicating with him all the time, but I’m not going to pressure him. You’ve got to do it because you want to do it. We had a good chat, a good time. He wants to focus on his club, his football, no problem,” said Arnold after Australia 2-0 win over New Zealand. (via ABC)
The Syndey-born winger is set to follow in the footsteps of Italian-born Alessandro Circati, who has taken strides at Serie B outfit Parma. Volpato is already understood to have taken advice from Circati over the opportunity to star for Australia.
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