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Federico Chiesa’s international comeback remains on hold as the Italy winger continues to struggle mentally after his serious knee injury in 2022.
The former Juventus and Fiorentina star has told national team coach Gennaro Gattuso twice, in September and October, that he does not yet feel ready to return to the Azzurri setup, and the coach has chosen to respect his decision.
However, with the Euro 2026 play-offs approaching, time is running out.
Chiesa’s hesitation risks costing him a key role in Italy’s plans, despite his natural place among the squad’s potential starters.
La Repubblica suggest his doubts are not only physical but also psychological, tied to the pressure of his new surroundings at Liverpool.
Gattuso is said to understand Chiesa’s fragile mindset, acknowledging that moving to a club with fierce competition, from Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké, Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, has weighed heavily on the Italian.
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
