Promising defender Alessandro Circati is firming for Socceroos selection for the friendly against Argentina after the dual national turned his back on Italy.
Circati, a 19-year-old who plays for Parma in Serie B, has played twice for Italy’s under-20 team.
The Italy-born central defender, who moved to Perth aged one with his parents, has listened to overtures from coach Graham Arnold and agreed to join the Socceroos.
Another Australia-Italy dual national, AS Roma’s Cristian Volpato, is not expected to feature in the Socceroos squad for the June 15 friendly against Argentina in Beijing.
Arnold will name his squad on Tuesday but NSW-born Volpato, who has featured in Italy’s under-age set-ups and plays in Serie A, has not yet made a call on his senior international allegiance.
Circati’s father, Gianfranco, says his son is on the verge of becoming a Socceroo.
“I know that Graham Arnold is keen to have him involved for the Argentina game,” Circati senior told the FTBL website.
“(Alessandro) called the family a couple of weeks ago and said his decision was to play for Australia.
“I asked him, ‘Do you think you’re Italian or Australian?’. He replied, ‘Dad, I’m Australian and I want to play for Australia’.
“He moved to Australia when he was one and lived most of his life here and you have to respect that.
“It really didn’t have anything to do with perhaps having more chance of being selected by Australia at senior level than Italy.
“It was really something in his heart and who he is. When you choose with your heart you can’t be wrong.”
Circati was in Perth Glory’s academy and played 21 games for the West Australian club in National Premier League ranks.
He trialled with Leicester and Reading in England before being signed by Parma in March 2021.
His Australian allegiance is another coup for Arnold and the Socceroos ahead of their clash against Argentina in China, for which midfield stalwart Aaron Mooy and winger Craig Goodwin will not be available.
Mooy has been battling an undisclosed injury and missed recent games at Celtic, while Adelaide United captain Goodwin likely needs groin surgery following his A-League campaign.
The Beijing fixture, the Socceroos’ first outing since two friendlies against Ecuador in March, is a rematch of last year’s World Cup round of 16 match, in which Lionel Messi’s team prevailed 2-1 en route to winning the trophy.
Australian Associated Press