Cristian Volpato is waiting to break into Roberto Mancini’s Italy squad and has turned down a call up from Australia for the upcoming World Cup.
The 18-year-old is a product of Western Sydney Wanderers’ youth system and joined Roma in January 2020 in a deal worth around €116 thousand. Born in the Camperdown suburb of Sydney, Volpato has represented Italy at youth level, making four appearances for the Under-19 squad and three appearances for the Under-20 side.
As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, Volpato was called up by Australia coach Graham Arnold for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar but decided to reject the spot as he continues waiting to break into the Azzurri set up.
Arnold discussed the 18-year-old’s decision in a press conference yesterday, confirming that a spot for the World Cup had been offered.
“Until 11pm last night I was trying to convince Volpato to be in the team, it was not my decision. I spoke to Cristian three times. And I had spoken to him other times before that. Yesterday I told him he was among the 26 called up for the World Cup.
“He told me he wanted to think about it and talk to people close to him to try to understand what was best for his career. He later decided to decline my offer to play for Australia in Qatar.
“It was his decision, now I prefer to focus on the guys we have and the youngsters that will come along. Cristian didn’t want to make such a big decision at this time in his career and that’s fine.”
The 18-year-old Volpato has started to properly break into Jose Mourinho’s Roma squad this season, making six appearances for the first team. He’s scored one goal and provided one assist in that time, and seems set to continue showing his skills under the Portuguese coach.
Good call from Volpato…he may have been born is Sydney but his destiny is elsewhere representing Italy already at youth level. Fate sealed
Forza Roma