http://soccer365.com/_365_Interviews/page_123_47494.shtml Mentions that he's got his Italian passport and is already looking forward to exploring European options in a year and a half (his MLS contract runs for two more years).
Odd that he considers getting the Italian passport a key event, what with his status on the national team it wouldn't be an issue for him to play anywhere. Not a bad piece. A bit to People-magazine for me, I generally prefer to read more about the player's opinions on style of play, his teammates and the rest of the league. Also interesting to think that Pablo feels the Rapids are going to be a "pretty young team this year." Granted the bench is young, but what looks to be our starting lineup has only 2 players under the age of 26, and 7 players at 30+. I guess when you lose the Statue in midfield, it immediately feels like a young team. I personally think our entire roster has a great balance of age/experience.
What does that mean, "got his Italian passport"? Does he hold dual American & Italian citizenship? Or did he mean, like, he got a visa to permit an extended stay in Italy?
well, his dad's Argentinian; maybe he's half-Italian as well? or maybe his mom is originally from Italy? but it does not mean he's got a visa, it means he got a passport. i don't know all the rules, but i guess you can have dual citizenship or dual passports or whatever. greenie - i agree with you; i'd hardly call the Rapids a "young" team. Chung, Grimandi, Spencer, Frasher, Garlick, Henderson...these are all experienced vets in their soccer careers, a good core to build around. even Carrieri, a spring chicken, has two full seasons under his belt.
I did see last night on FSW Report that next year in Serie A teams will be limited to only 1 non-EU player each -- with the exception of promoted teams which will be limited to 3. And I thought England's restrictions on non-EU players was tough. So I guess it will make a difference in two seasons' time, by holding an Italian passport I guess that would make a huge difference for Pablo to sign on with a team over there.
i think he was born in an Italian neighborhood in Argentina. lots of Italians in South America, from both, Northern Italy and Southern Italy. Maestroeni. Super Italiano!!!
I guess I'm just wondering, if he holds dual citizenship, why didn't have an Italian passport already?
Doesn't US law require that in order to hold a US passport you can't hold any others? I think for US citizens to carry a foreign passport they need to turn in their US passport.
Actually, one of the reasons that you see so many Argentinian players over in Italy (or Spain) is because they are able to hold EU passports through grandparents, distant relatives, etc... that were Italians or Spaniards. I'm sure this is the case with Pablo, just look at his sirname Mastroeni. These restrictions are in place in almost every EU country to some extent, the news is that they just tightened them up again per one of the posts above. However, by holding an EU passport, Mastro will have a much easier time getting into one of the top European leagues (Spain, Italy or England) because not only would his contract be up and I assume there wouldn't be a transfer fee, but he would appeal to many teams because he won't count against their foreign player limits. Any legal experts among us know the answer to the Greenie's question?
If someone has dual-citizenship, I can't think of any reason why they would not be allowed to have two passports.
no. i used to have dual citizenship with Venezuela, and i had two passports. i'll probably get it again so i can go back and forth whenever i want to see my family. BUT, just be sure if you ever do get dual residency like that, you ALWAYS have your USA passport with you, otherwise they may not let you leave.
I'm kinda dissapointed that it seems like he can't wait until his contract is up so he can leave. I know people have to do what they have to do but I was hoping we were making progress in that area. Garrett
When taking citizenship oaths, most countries include a part about renouncing other citizenships, but this is hardly enforced. I don't believe that getting a passport to another country always requires citizenship-just the requirements for doing so, like having a parent or spouse from that country-and this varies from country to country. If all these players who have multiple passports were citizens, there could be problems, such as having to register for service over the same age period(though this is unlikely). For the poster surprised that it mattered for Mastro to have a passport while he is a fixture on the Nats, this frees him of any restrictions within EU countries. They all seem to have a different system-England has the 75% rule, Spain has a four per team max(I think), and someone posted a limit of one for Italy. All these rules are meaningless now(for Mastro), and he is in a better position because of it.
Actually it's not a roster limit. It's a new signing limit. Serie A teams will be allowed to sign 1 new non-EU player during the offseason, except promoted teams which will be allowed to sign 3 new non-EU players.