Hey All, Assuming we make 2018 World Cup. Any of you hear any news about Giuseppe Rossi lately? I was wondering if he had any chance to make the 2018 World Cup? Is he in good condition for that even? Would he help us? Would any of you like to see him at the World Cup, if we make it? I remember him a few years ago, he was a huge beast and arguably our best striker, but I heard he has been struggling with injury in past years. Have no idea what is up with him now. Is he still the player he was? I remember being extremely bummed about him being left out of the 2014 World Cup Squad. In November 2015 I read something about Conte monitoring him for possible Euro 2016 call, but heard nothing about him anytime after that. Any idea what is going on with him? I wonder why Ventura didn't call him for any qualifier yet. I also wonder why he did not make Conte's Euro 2016 squad, but I am guessing he was probably injured, and Conte had plans a long time before the tournament.
did he ever have a real shot during his prime (08-12) of being a starter or sub for Italy? Seems he got a few qualifying matches, but mostly friendlies.
What kind of bull shit ass thread is this? The kids living without knees, maybe he can be the water boy
Looking back at his career, he should have chosen the States, I mean as injury prone as he was it was still an improvement over Altidore. His career might be over now, unless he comes to the MLS for a couple of seasons.
I wonder why exactly he chose Italy. He surely knew the US would qualify for every tournament and he'd be first choice. I doubt he must have thought he'd be first choice for Italy at any tournament. Is his love for Italy that great? Or he just wanted a real challenge?
Yes I understand both points. But many players do the opposite so long as they have a shot at the WC. I believe the word you were looking for was "heritage"
Yeah correct (LOL). Don't forget though that Dybala chose Argentina over Italy and Poland, El Shaarawy chose us over Egypt, Podolski chose Germany over Poland, Balotelli chose us over Ghana, etc. It happens quite a bit!
but isn't Shaarawy Italian-born? Rossi was born and raised in the US. Though I believe at age 12 or 13 he moved to Italy. Also isn't Balotelli born and raised in Italy? So it's natural they would choose Italy. I think a better example would be Auba at Dortmund. He is french born and raised but plays for Gabon.
I thought Balotelli was born in Ghana and then got adopted? Could be wrong, but thats what I thought.
his wikipedia says born in Italy but he was adopted indeed. He has an odd background considering only he was adopted but his siblings were not. I got a pal in Turin who doesn't technically see him as Italian.
can you elaborate? Because I find it strange a person such as Balotelli couldn't be seen as Italian despite being born/growing up in Italy among Italians.
The Chinese government would disagree. You can't become Chinese or Italian etc. because those are ethnicities. But then again you come from a country where people can choose their genders.
Same reason as any of us on this forum. If we had a chance of making La Nazionale then it’s a no brainer
well that's a shame. I suppose i can't marry a special italian girl since my children would be half foreign
just because Italy recognizes citizenship based on blood doesn't make that a real indicator. Anyone born or raised in Italy (regardless of their parentage) is Italian. They go to italian schools, get italian jobs, maybe date ethnic italians.... It's 1 of the few annoying things I don't enjoy about Italy.
They are Italian citizens, yes. But not ethnic Italians. That's likely what your friend is saying about Balotelli. Anyways, FIFA is considering changing the rules so that a player can switch countries regardless of having been capped for another NT. The Rossi's and Balotelli's of the world would be able to feature for more than 1 team if things don't work out with their first choice.