AS Roma wonderkid refuses to join Australia national team for World Cup 2022


49erssports.com - Cristian Volpato should have been on the list of Australia's final squad for the 2022 World Cup. However, the 18-year-old refused the invitation.

Australia announced 26 players who were brought to Qatar on Monday (7/11/2022). Before releasing the names of the players, Australian coach Graham Arnold had contacted Volpato several times.

The AS Roma attacking midfielder then asked for time to give his decision. After a while, Arnold again contacted Volpato and got an answer that the player refused the invitation.

“When I contacted him, he refused the invitation. This is an important decision that Cristian [Volpato] has made that at the moment he doesn't want to take any steps," he said on the Australian national team's official website.

Already Contacted

Arnold explained that his approach to the player was not done just once. On many occasions, he tried to communicate this with Volpato.

“I have spoken to Cristian three times. I've also spoken to him on several occasions before that," explained Arnold.

Right at the last moment to ask Volpato's ability to defend Australia, the player asked for time. Then when Arnold called him again, Volpato came with the answer no.

Medium Good Performance

Despite his young age, Arnold openly likes Volpato's talent. This season, Volpato has had the opportunity to play five times with Roma.

Volpato even scored his first goal with the Giallorosi. His goal was scored when helping Roma win 3-1 over Hellas Verona in the 12th week of the 2022/2023 Italian League.

“I have spoken to Cristian three times. I've also spoken to him on several occasions before that," explained Arnold.

Have Dual Nationality

Volpato's refusal could actually be assumed that he did not want to choose Australia as his 'national team'. In fact, Volpato was born in Camperdown, Australia on November 15, 2003.

However, Volpato now has another citizenship, namely Italian. Volpato has even tasted caps and scored goals for the Italy U19 and U20 national teams, respectively.

Australia squad for the 2022 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Andrew Redmayne, Danny Vukovic

Defenders: Harry Souttar, Milos Degenek, Thomas Deng, Bailey Wright, Kye Rowles, Fran Karacic, Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Joel King

Midfielders: Aaron Mooy, Riley McGree, Ajdin Hrustic, Cameron Devlin, Jackson Irvine, Keanu Baccus

Forwards: Martin Boyle, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Craig Goodwin, Mat Leckie, Jason Cummings, Garang Kuol, Mitchell Duke

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