Cristian Volpato Embraces Australian Identity After National Team Debut

Cristian Volpato expressed a profound sense of belonging upon making his debut for the Australian national team, stating it was "time to come home." The attacking midfielder, who had previously represented Italy at the under-21 level, switched allegiances just before the World Cup.

Born and raised in Sydney, Volpato has Italian roots but never earned a senior cap for Italy, allowing him to qualify for Australia. The 22-year-old made the decision to represent Australia in late May, a choice that stirred some controversy, especially given his previous refusal to join the Socceroos for the last World Cup under coach Graham Arnold.

Reflecting on his earlier decision, Volpato admitted, "When I was 18, maybe I was a bit too young, and maybe I was a bit too scared to make the change straight away." He acknowledged that he was comfortable playing for Italy but ultimately felt a strong pull to represent his home country. "Something, I don't know, in my heart just said 'I think it's time to come home,'" he shared.

His debut came during a pre-World Cup friendly against Switzerland, which ended in a 1-1 draw in San Diego. Volpato, who plays for Serie A club Sassuolo, was substituted at halftime as he continues to adjust to the national team's training environment. His entry into the squad is particularly timely, as the team faces the absence of injured midfielder Riley McGree.

In the lead-up to his decision, Volpato had lengthy discussions with fellow Australian and Parma defender Alessandro Circati. "I'm Italian and I'm Australian, so it's actually been a big decision that's always been on my head 24/7 for quite a while," he noted. Emphasizing his connection to Australia, he said, "Obviously, I do feel Australian, so it felt really good coming in, being brought in by the boys, and speaking English -- Aussie."