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Switzerland or Italy? Mancini calls and Alessandro Romano gives

Alessandro Romano, 18, scored a great goal on his debut for Cagliari and said “yes” to Italy after being approached by Roberto Mancini. The midfielder had completed his entire international training with Switzerland's youth teams.

31 August 2026
Switzerland or Italy? Mancini calls and Alessandro Romano gives

Switzerland or Italy? Mancini calls and Alessandro Romano gives

According to Tuttomercatoweb.

Why this matters

Alessandro Romano's decision to represent the Italian national team is significant, especially considering his training in Switzerland's youth teams. This movement could impact the dynamics of the Italian team, which is looking for new talents to strengthen its team. Furthermore, his performance at Cagliari could attract even more attention to the young midfielder, potentially influencing future call-ups.

Main conclusions

  • Switzerland or Italy? Mancini calls and Alessandro Romano gives.
  • Alessandro Romano, 18, scored a great goal on his debut for Cagliari and said “yes” to Italy after being approached by Roberto Mancini.
  • Svizzera o Italia? Mancini chiama, Romano makes it available to the Azzurri.

Alessandro Romano is experiencing days of affirmation. The young midfielder, signed permanently by Cagliari from Roma last summer, had a dream debut in the championship by scoring a eurogoal against Parma, a move that ended up being decisive in guaranteeing the Sardinian team's victory. The immediate impact on the field also brought him a bigger topic for the future: choosing the team he intends to represent at senior level.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Roberto Mancini, Italy's coach, was in Parma to watch the midfielder live and wanted to understand his openness to wearing the Azzurri shirt. Romano's response was clear and positive: despite having completed all his international training with Switzerland's youth teams, the player expressed his availability to represent the Italian national team. It is a significant step in a career that is still in its infancy, but which is already arousing great curiosity in Italy and abroad.

Romano, born in 2005, is described as a rising talent and has been followed by some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund. The move to Cagliari, led by Fabio Pisacane, appears as an opportunity to consolidate minutes in Serie A and evolve in a demanding competitive context. After passing through the Roma academy — where he arrived from Winterthur thanks to the investment of Vincenzo Vergine — the midfielder is now looking to continue the potential he displayed in the youth categories.

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The possible change of international flag falls within the rules in force, which allow a player with a career in the youth teams of a country to choose to play in the main team of another federation for which he is eligible, as long as he meets the regulatory criteria and has not been an A international in official matches. In the case of Romano, the desire has already been expressed: to follow the path of the Squadra Azzurra, who watched him closely and liked what he saw on the pitch.

In Cagliari, the start could not have been more promising. The long-range shot he scored against Parma got people talking and reinforced the idea that the midfielder has the ability to influence the game from the central zone, both in the build-up and when arriving in the area. The next step will be to maintain consistency in Serie A, accumulating minutes and experiences that allow him to grow. The season is long and time, as they emphasize around the club, works in your favor to develop in the right environment.

For Italy, which continues to pay attention to young players with room for progression, Romano's opening represents another interesting option for the near future. For the player, the decision is also a milestone: after initially standing out for Cagliari, it also gives a clear signal about the trajectory he aims for on the international stage.

What happens next

With his recent impressive debut in Serie A, Romano is expected to continue to develop under the guidance of Fabio Pisacane at Cagliari. His performance could not only solidify his position in the team, but also increase his chances of being called up to the Italy National Team in future competitions. The pressure is now on him to maintain his level of play and justify the trust placed in Roberto Mancini.

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Alessandro Romano recently?

Alessandro Romano had an impressive debut in Serie A, scoring a decisive goal as Cagliari won against Parma.

Who confirmed Alessandro Romano's interest in representing the Italian national team?

Roberto Mancini, the Italy coach, confirmed that he was in Parma to observe Romano and that the player expressed his availability to represent the Italian national team.

Why is it important to choose the team that Alessandro Romano intends to represent now?

The selection of the team is significant for Romano as he had training with Switzerland's youth teams but is now considering representing Italy following his impact in Serie A.

What changes are taking place in Alessandro Romano's career?

Romano moved from Roma to Cagliari, where he is consolidating minutes in Serie A and evolving as a player, which also led him to consider representing the Italian national team.

What is the context of Romano's possible change of selection?

Romano's change of international flag is permitted by the rules that allow players with a background in youth teams to choose to play for another country's main team.

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