sport news Can Socceroos secure services of AS Roma star Cristian Volpato ahead of FIFA ... trends now
Given the fact Australia has been starved of a generational footballing talent since the days of Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka, it should be easy to spot a diamond in the rough, right?
Think again. No fewer than two A-League clubs have had Cristian Volpato under their roof at one point in time. Both clubs let the Australian prodigy slip through their grasp.
Now, the Socceroos face a fierce battle to secure the services of the young gun, now of AS Roma, with European champions Italy looming large.
Cristian Volpato is making a name for himself in Italy after being snubbed back in Australia
The 18-year-old scored the decisive goal for Roma to beat Serie A rivals Verona last month
As a burgeoning talent, the 18-year-old was released by Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, having grown up in the neighbouring suburb of Camperdown.
But Italian scouts didn't overlook Volpato's undeniable quality, with renowned coach Fabrizio Piccareta inviting the Australian to the nation's capital, where he earned a trial with AS Roma's academy.
Unsurprisingly, Volpato impressed. The Serie A giants tied him down to a three-year professional contract, in a clear sign of backing for the young gun. Senior figures at Sydney and WSW could only watch from afar, flabbergasted.
So too, surely, were the Socceroos. The Azzurri identified that here was a youngster from Sydney, snubbed by the nation of his birth, looking for a place to call home. And the Italians were willing to throw an arm around Volpato, who gratefully accepted a call up to represent the Europeans at junior level.
There is still hope, though, as the 18-year-old is yet to declare for either nation. But he'll likely be expected to make a decision soon, now that he's making a name for himself at the top of Italy's domestic game.
Jose Mourinho, of course, is a tough man to impress. Over the course of his illustrious career, the Portuguese has earned a reputation for being sceptical of young players, choosing to place his trust in more established, experienced players.
Volpato was previously under the roof of two A-League academies but was released
Just ask Kevin de Bruyne, Mo Salah and Marcus Rashford. All three massively struggled to win the favour of the perennial trophy winner, with the Belgian and
