Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has revealed that Federico Chiesa has chosen not to be called up to this month’s World Cup qualifiers. The Azzurri will face Moldova and Norway as they aim to return to the tournament for the first time since 2014.
Chiesa has not played on international duty since the 2024 European Championship, when Italy were eliminated in the round of 16. Despite his strong start to the season, Gattuso was keen to add a winger to his squad. However, that request was refused, with the 47-year-old suggesting Ms Chiesa was working on specific “issues”.
Coach Gattuso confirmed Chiesa’s absence at a press conference, explaining: “I have talked to him a lot. We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us have.”
“We know very well what to say to each other and I have to respect what the players tell me. I can’t say anything else.”
Asked whose choice it was, Gattuso said this was not the first time Chiesa had refused an international assignment.
“Yes, this is already the fourth or fifth time I’ve explained this,” he continued.
Chiesa previously withdrew from consideration in Italy in September, saying he did not feel “100%”.
“The Chiesa problem is very simple,” Gattuso said at the time. “I’ve been talking to the players a lot and I want to make that clear.
“I talk to Fede every week and he knows how I feel about him, but you also have to respect what the players say.
“He doesn’t feel 100% and he wants to be 100%. That’s the truth.”
Chiesa will remain at Liverpool and continue training.
He has played eight times in the Premier League this season and twice in the Champions League, but is yet to start a game under manager Arne Slott.
