Ciro Immobile reveals he had been ready to quit international football after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, but Italy coach Roberto Mancini talked him around. ‘I realised that I was still needed.’
The Azzurri will not be going to Qatar after finishing second in their qualifying group to Switzerland and losing the play-off to North Macedonia.
Immobile was one of the players most criticised by fans after that setback and there were reports the 32-year-old was thinking of walking away from the Nazionale.
“It is true, I wanted to leave, but then I spoke to Mancini and I realised that I was still needed,” Immobile told RAI Sport.
“When you are disappointed in such a way, you think a thousand things. However, with a clear head, I spoke to Mancini and it seemed that Italy still needed me.”
The Lazio striker was Capocannoniere in Serie A last season with 27 goals and started this term on the same foot, finding the net five times in seven games.
He missed June’s Nations League fixtures due to injury, but is back in the squad for the upcoming matches against England on Friday and Hungary on Monday.
“There is still the need for us veterans, who can help the younger players to develop and make the renewal process smoother for the Nazionale.
“As the coach said, what begins now is our comeback for the Euros and the next World Cup.”
Immobile has never quite managed to reflect his club form at international level and has 15 goals in 55 senior caps for Italy.