Cristian Volpato represents a significant reconciliation for Australian football, having switched his allegiance to the Socceroos just before the World Cup. His decision comes after a long history intertwined with Italian football, particularly marked by moments that have caused angst for Australian fans.
The Socceroos, often referred to as the “My ex-agent was Totti, who scored, and then my coach is the one who won the penalty so it’s a bit like … you know what I mean?” during their 2006 World Cup campaign, fell agonizingly short of a knockout victory against Italy when Fabio Grosso was awarded a penalty that Francesco Totti converted. It remains a poignant memory in Australian football history.
Reflecting on the match, Volpato remarked, “I’ve watched it like a hundred times,” noting the surreal connections he has to that pivotal game. He shared, “I spoke to Grosso, he just remembers he didn’t even know what he was doing, he felt a bit of contact, he went down,”
Volpato’s early career was guided by Totti, and he played under Grosso at Sassuolo until Grosso recently accepted a position with Fiorentina. He recounted a conversation with Grosso regarding the infamous penalty. “They got the pen, Totti, and he just shot as hard as he could, he said.” Volpato detailed. “They are also small details that can change a game,”
Despite the controversy surrounding the decision, Volpato views it as a learning opportunity for the current Socceroos squad, who aim to secure their first knockout win in 20 years when they face Egypt on Friday in Dallas. “We have to use that in our game as well, because small details can make a big, big difference.” he emphasized. “Thank God, and I’m thankful to the people at the passport place who helped me get it quickly,”
The 22-year-old made his World Cup debut against Paraguay, demonstrating his potential alongside teammate Jordy Bos on the right flank.
His late addition to the Socceroos roster was unexpected, as Volpato faced a passport issue that almost prevented his participation. “Something clicked and my heart said: ‘Just go, I think you belong there,’” he expressed after rushing back to Sydney to resolve the matter.
Having previously represented Italy at the junior level, Volpato had been in touch with the Australian coaching staff for years. However, it was a match against Parma that prompted his switch in late May. “I didn’t want to come being 50-50, if I wanted to come it’s because I wanted to come and I felt it was right.” he recalled. “I got told from both of them that basically I’m not good enough to play,”
This decision signifies a return to his roots for Volpato, who was born in Sydney but faced rejection from two Australian football academies at 16. “I always wanted to go to Italy as a kid, so I think it [worked] out perfectly to be honest because then straight after, I just remember the car ride home with my dad. I was crying. And he just says: ‘Don’t worry, we’ll go to Italy now and we’ll try it.’” he shared candidly.
Volpato had always dreamed of playing in Italy, a goal that his father encouraged during a difficult time. He recalled, “Thank God I made the trial and my life changed from there,”
His mother even sold her business to support their move to Italy, where he eventually secured a spot in Roma’s academy. “I feel like I have to give a lot as well to Italy because they gave me a second opportunity. From there, I also got picked for the Italian team first, so I mean, I just accepted it.” Volpato reflected. “I’m human like everyone else, I’m addicted to my phone like 90% of the people as well in the world,”
Before embracing his new role with the Socceroos, Volpato faced criticism from fans who believed he had overlooked his Australian heritage. “There’s going to be good things [said about you], there’s going to be bad things, but I feel like as a footballer, you’ve just got to be resilient, and sometimes you can use it as fuel as well.” he stated. “I felt like it was right,”
Now, he enjoys the support of Socceroos fans, who have adopted a chant celebrating him as “I felt like I can be myself, and I can show myself here more.” Volpato received videos of the fans singing from his family, reinforcing his choice to represent Australia. “I felt like it was right,” he concluded. “I felt like I can be myself, and I can show myself here more.”
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