Cristian Volpato has been the name on the lips of Socceroos fans around the country as the youngster continues to make a name for himself with Italian giants Roma.
Volpato was famously let go by both Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderer’s youth academy, only for him to find his footing at Roma where he continues to emerge as a first-team player.
The 18-year-old set the football world alight last weekend, coming off the bench to score and get a crucial assist to help Roma to a 3-1 victory.
Cristian Volpato is the difference maker for Roma 👊
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) October 31, 2022
A goal and an assist off the bench to lift the Giallorossi to fourth spot in Serie A.#OptusSport pic.twitter.com/gvEt1BTMYH
Volpato is already a household name for Socceroos fans after famously being snubbed for the final round of World Cup qualifiers, only to post a photo on his personal social media with a laughing face emoji that would later do the rounds on Twitter.
The Sydney native has the option of either representing the Italian side or the Australians but has already made his junior debut with the Azzuri. Under FIFA rules, a player can switch allegiances before making a senior debut, but once they have made more than two senior appearances for a country they must stay put.
Volpato has been mentioned as a potential bolter for the Socceroos’ upcoming World Cup campaign, but his mentor and former coach Tony Basha believes that the ship has already sailed.
“I think his heart is set on representing Italy, he’s playing in the youth team and doing really well and there’s very strong rumours that the Italian national team is going to call him up to the first team,” Basha said to Kick 360.
“He’s not upset with Australia, he’s a proud Aussie kid but the people working around him, they want him to stick to playing football for Roma. At this stage, I don’t think there’s a chance he’ll play for the Socceroos.”
Volpato representing the Azzuri would be a massive blow to not only the future of the Socceroos team but would continue to shine a light on the failing youth systems of Australian football.
The 18-year-old’s current coach Jose Mourinho sang the praises of the youngster but noted there is plenty of work to do in order to secure a permanent spot in the first team.
“I believed in the talent of a young boy (Volpato) and his creativity and his eye for goal,” Mourinho said in a post-match press conference.
“After having a taste of the first-team, he signed a contract extension, and now he is a player with first-team quality.
“He’s young, he has a lot still to learn every day, but he’s already at the level required, when I put him in it wasn’t me being crazy or taking an absurd risk.
“I didn’t know for sure that he was going to score the winning goal, but I knew he had the capability of doing so.”
Graham Arnold will announce his squad for the FIFA World Cup on the 8th of November where Volpato is an outsider’s chance of being named.
SEN will broadcast every game of this year’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Tournament. Socceroos legend Archie Thompson will lead the SEN call team with all games live on SEN and the SEN App.