For the second time in a row
©IMAGO
Ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifying games against Moldova and Norway, quite a few fans and experts in Italy are currently concerned about Federico Chiesa’s personality. The 51-time international from Liverpool FC rejected an invitation to the national team for the second time in a row. In a press conference, coach Gennaro Gattuso commented on the cancellation and the speculation.
Chiesa has struggled with injuries several times in recent years. Even after moving to the island, the 28-year-old was hampered by a muscle injury in his debut season, which meant he missed a total of 14 games. So far this season he has made eight substitute appearances and contributed three scorers for coach Arne Slot’s Reds. Despite his limited playing time, the Italian was voted Player of the Month by fans at Anfield in September.
When asked why Gattuso again did not use the winger in the crucial phase of World Cup qualifying, the coach made it clear: “I talk to him often. We have to respect everyone’s decisions and problems. We know exactly what we say to each other and I have to respect what the player tells me. I can’t say anything more about that.” The fact that Chiesa was not included in the squad was entirely the player’s decision and had nothing to do with him, emphasized Gattuso and, when asked again, visibly annoyed, added that he was “explaining this for the fourth or fifth time.”
If you ask around in England and Italy, there are numerous rumors circulating about Chiesa’s decision, but there is no exact reason or even a statement from the player himself. There is a lot of media and public speculation. The most plausible explanation is that the attacker, whose last international match was in 2024, does not yet feel physically able to put on the Squadra Azzurra jersey again after his injury misery.
Gattuso had already made a similar assumption in October in response to Chiesa’s first rejection; at that time, the 2006 world champion had spoken of a “mutual decision” and a player who “wanted to be 100 percent fit”. Should Italy, currently second in Qualifying Group I behind the Norwegians, qualify, Chiesa could work towards a comeback in top form at the 2026 World Cup. Until then, the 2021 European champions need at least two more group wins or successful playoffs next year.