Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso has revealed that Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa turned down a call-up for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Norway. The 27-year-old has not played for the Azzurri since Euro 2024, where Italy were eliminated in the last 16.
Speaking in a press conference, Gattuso said: 'I often talk to him. We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us has. We know well what we tell each other, and I must respect what the player tells me. I can't say anything else.' He added that this was the fourth or fifth time he had explained the situation, indicating it was not the first occasion Chiesa had declined selection.
Chiesa also withdrew from the Italy squad in September, citing that he was not feeling '100 per cent'. At the time, Gattuso said: 'The Chiesa issue is very simple. I talk to my players a lot... He does not feel at 100% and wants to be at 100%, that is the truth.'
This season, Chiesa has made eight appearances in the Premier League and two in the Champions League for Liverpool, but he has yet to start a game under manager Arne Slot. He will remain at the club to continue training during the international break.
