Nicolò Tresoldi has made headlines by scoring a hat-trick against Inter, and while Italy hopes the 22-year-old will pick them over Germany, Sky Sport Italia pundits fear he may have already chosen otherwise.
Tresoldi contributed heavily to Club Brugge’s 4-3 win over Inter in the Champions League Round 2 on Tuesday, becoming the second player after Gareth Bale to score three goals in a single game against the Nerazzurri in the Champions League.
The Club Brugge star has dual citizenship as he was born in Italy but raised in Germany. He has represented Germany at youth level and will play for them at the U21 Euros next summer.
Tresoldi has reiterated that he’ll only decide whether to represent Italy or Germany at a senior level after the U21 Euros. In a post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia, he also confirmed he’s already spoken with both Italy coach Roberto Mancini and Germany’s Jurgen Klopp.
“I always speak Italian at home; I was born in Italy too. We’ll see,” Tresoldi added.
“I am enjoying myself with the Germany Under-21 side, we have a European Championship to play, it’s a trophy my Dad won with Italy, so it’s a target for me. Then we’ll see what happens.”
Sky Sport Italia pundits commented on his words after a joyful Tresoldi left the interview, saying the striker might have already made up his mind.
“I think he’s already chosen, and he’s chosen Germany,” said journalist Marco Bucciantini.
Paolo Di Canio, a former Juventus, Lazio, Milan and West Ham striker, seemed to agree: “When you hear him say that he wants to win the U21 Euros with Germany. It was a promise, true, but he has already chosen,” said the ex-striker.
“This is not the right time [to say it], but it’s clear he’s already chosen.”