Image Credits: Imago Images
Federico Chiesa has continuously rejected call-ups to the Italian national team since Gennaro Gattusso took over in June.
The Liverpool winger hasn’t featured for the Azzurri since June 2024, when the national team were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the European Championships.
Chiesa struggled for minutes throughout his first season for Liverpool but has played a more prominent role this campaign.
The Italian has featured twelve times in all competitions, contributing two goals and three assists.
He was also named Liverpool’s Player of the Month in September.
Despite this, he still doesn’t feel ready to represent Italy just yet, as he continues to prioritise carving out a place for himself in Liverpool’s squad on a regular basis.
During the most recent international break, Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso explained how he regularly wants to call Chiesa up, but the player turns down the opportunity.
“I must respect what the player tells me. We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us has.”
“I call Chiesa in every call-up; I always talk to him. The problem is not Gattuso or his staff; he has a problem, not us.”
Gianluigi Buffon, Italy’s Delegation Chief, has now doubled down on that point of view in a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We have to bring all the best players. If someone stands out, there’s no preclusion of any kind, also because we need them.”
“We’re waiting for Chiesa; there are very few like him in Europe, but Rino hasn’t left anyone at home who deserves to be here. The group matters.”
The legendary Italian shot-stopper seemingly confirms that Italy will continue to wait for Chiesa and will welcome him with open arms when the player decides to return to the international stage.
Until then, Gattusso’s focus remains on the group as a whole.
Italy will face Conor Bradley’s Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal on March 26th, 2026.
The winner of that game will face Wales or Bosnia Herzegovina in an away final on March 30th.
It remain to be seen whether Chiesa will decide to feature in that international call-up, as he could help Italy reach their first World Cup since 2014.
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