Schwarzer’s Advice: The Door Remains Open for Volpato, But Choices Have Consequences
Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer has voiced his opinion that young Italian-Australian talent Cristian Volpato might one day look back and regret his decision to repeatedly turn down opportunities to represent Australia. However, Schwarzer, the nation’s most capped Socceroo, maintains that the door should never be completely shut on the Sydney-born player.
Recent efforts by the Australian national team to secure Volpato’s allegiance have been evident. Socceroos assistant coach Tony Popovic recently travelled to Italy to meet with Volpato at his club, Sassuolo. The meeting was aimed at discussing the prospect of the 22-year-old featuring for the Socceroos. Volpato, who was born and raised in Sydney and honed his skills in A-League academies before his impressive rise at AS Roma four years ago, had previously declined an invitation to join Graham Arnold’s squad for the last World Cup.
In his most candid remarks to date regarding his international allegiances, Volpato indicated over the weekend that he was “waiting for Italy.” This suggests that, similar to previous overtures from Arnold, Popovic’s pursuit might prove unsuccessful in the immediate future. While Volpato appears to be some way off a senior call-up for the Italian national team, he has already represented Italy at three different junior age levels. His career trajectory in Serie A could still lead to an opportunity with the Azzurri.
Schwarzer, a pivotal figure in Australia’s historic penalty shootout victory over Uruguay in 2005, expressed his willingness to see Volpato don the green and gold in the future. “I don’t think you should ever close the door on anyone,” Schwarzer stated in Sydney. “He’s Australian. You don’t reject someone coming in the border because they’ve decided to go and live in Italy, do you?”
He elaborated on his philosophy: “So until they’ve actually closed all doors in terms of [having] played for that nation and no longer eligible to play for Australia … I’m a believer that everyone has different stages in their lives, have different thoughts in their lives. One day, he may look back at it and think, ‘Maybe I kind of got that wrong a little bit.’”
Schwarzer acknowledged Volpato’s current ambition: “But maybe his first love is to play for Italy, which is obvious, right? I mean, he’s got more chances of qualifying for a World Cup playing for Australia than he is for Italy. Let’s be honest.”
Tony Popovic remained tight-lipped about future considerations for Volpato, but his comments suggested a degree of disappointment. “If that’s the choice he’s made, then I wish him well,” Popovic said. “You have to want to play for the country – and if you do, then you will accept whatever is put in front of you and whatever journey it takes to get to that level, if you even get there, because that’s where you want to be. I think it’s quite simple.”
Schwarzer also lent his support to Popovic’s recent stance on Adrian Segecic, who opted to represent Croatia. Schwarzer echoed Popovic’s sentiment that no promises regarding game time would be made, nor would the possibility of players switching allegiances influence squad selection.
Australia has a history of success with players who grew up abroad but chose to represent the Socceroos. A current example is Croatian-born Ante Suto, who recently set foot on Australian soil for the first time and is in contention for a potential debut against Cameroon.
“If you look at the 2006 side that went to the World Cup, how many of us had dual nationality?” Schwarzer recalled. “What I’m saying is there are benefits as well, because we have lots of players that have just wanted to play for the Socceroos and only ever wanted to play for the Socceroos, and I certainly was one of them. And I think creating that sort of the mentality, the atmosphere, the expectation on players that we only want people that want to play for Australia, I think that’s really important.”
He concluded, “And if sometime down the line, and he’s playing at a good level and decent level, and there is an opportunity maybe to bring him back involved, then so be it. Who knows?”
The sentiments of Schwarzer were mirrored by Socceroos captain Maty Ryan, who earlier this week stated he would welcome back players like Volpato or Segecic should they change their minds. “I don’t like confrontation. I respect everyone’s decision,” Ryan commented. “If it got to a point where a player like that will come in here, then you go ahead and accept them, and just try to make the team as strong as possible. It’s just part of the game. That’s the way it goes, the way it works with this dual nationality.”
Italiano: Seizing the Moment at the Right Wing-Back Position
In the unpredictable world of football, timing can be everything, and Jacob Italiano is a prime example. His recent inclusion in the Socceroos squad, bolstered by a stunning hat-trick for Austrian club Grazer SK in their 5-1 victory over WSG Tirol, has thrust him into the spotlight. This impressive scoring feat came after a career that had previously seen him net only one professional goal. The sudden influx of three goals, including two spectacular long-distance volleys, certainly made his journey to the national team camp a little sweeter.
Tony Popovic’s current Socceroos squad for the FIFA Series friendlies against Cameroon and Curaçao presents significant opportunities for all players, but few have as clear a pathway as Italiano. For the 24-year-old, not only is a potential World Cup ticket within reach, but also a starting position in Australia’s XI.
Italiano has been on the Socceroos’ radar for some time, even under former coach Graham Arnold. However, his senior debut only occurred in October, and that was due to an unfortunate injury to fellow right-sided defender Fran Karacic. Despite this, Italiano’s form arguably merited an earlier call-up. He recalls a moment of disappointment when he wasn’t selected for a club match, only to receive a call from a Socceroos staffer shortly after, requesting a chat. “I was a little bit disappointed not to be called up, and then all of a sudden, you’re over the moon,” he admitted. “The patience kind of paid off … I’m just really grateful to be here now.”
Italiano made an immediate impact, starting in Australia’s 1-0 victory against Canada and performing with a maturity that belied his limited international experience. He retained his starting spot five days later against the United States, delivering another standout performance despite the team’s defeat. An injury ruled him out of the November fixtures, but his return has once again been aided by the misfortune of teammates.
Karacic has been ruled out due to a persistent foot injury, leaving Italiano as the sole natural right wing-back available to face Cameroon in Sydney. Furthermore, Lewis Miller, who was previously the first-choice in that position, has been sidelined for the World Cup with an Achilles tendon injury. This unfortunate series of events places Italiano in a commanding position to make the right wing-back spot his own.
“When I first read the news, you’re just devastated for him because I know Lewis … I played with him in the younger teams. He’s such a good guy,” Italiano said, expressing empathy for Miller. “It was obviously devastating what happened to him. I kind of didn’t really want to think of it in that way, but obviously, football is kind of like that, and now I just need to make sure I’m doing everything I can in my power to stay fit and perform.”
Popovic has urged more players to emulate Italiano’s ability to seize opportunities. “That’s the beauty of giving players an opportunity with the Socceroos and putting them under pressure, which is not easy for the player,” he commented. “I’d love to find another Jacob Italiano, whether it’s that position or another position – someone that can come through and surprise everyone and then continue on with some really good form at their club leading into World Cup.”
