Sports

Senesi rejected chance to play for Italy: ‘It was easy’

Published

3 hours ago

28 January 2026

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Bournemouth and Rayo Vallecano at Vitality Stadium on August 04, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Bournemouth and Argentina defender Marcos Senesi admits he rejected the chance to play for the Italy national team: ‘I’d have to sing the anthem of another country I don’t feel identified with.’

Argentine centre-back Senesi had a chance to play for Italy in 2022 before his senior debut with the Albiceleste.

Senesi could have played for Italy under Mancini

Italy’s head coach Roberto Mancini reacts during the UEFA Nations League soccer match Italy vs Germany at Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, 04 June 2022. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI

“I was at Feyenoord. The Argentina-Italy Finalissima was coming up. I found out because someone from the club called me and said: ‘Marcos, I got an email from the Italian federation, they want to get in touch with you.’ I took the call because I wanted to be respectful,” Senesi told TyC Sports.

“They said they wanted me to be part of the team, they spoke to me about the project.”

Senesi ultimately made his Argentina debut in June 2022 in a 5-0 friendly win over Estonia.

“I had spoken with [Lionel Scaloni assistant] Walter Samuel a few weeks before, and there was a chance I could get called up [to the Argentina national team] so the decision was easy in that sense,” the defender continued.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: Marcos Senesi of AFC Bournemouth (L) acknowledges the fans with Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth (R), after the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on March 30, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Marcos Senesi of AFC Bournemouth (L) acknowledges the fans with Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth (R), after the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on March 30, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“Honestly, I didn’t weigh on me. I’d rather fight for a spot and play for my country. I imagined myself in the Italian team, standing there with the anthem. I’d have to sing the anthem of another country I don’t feel identified with. With all due respect to a team like Italy, I wouldn’t have felt like I was part of it.”

Senesi will probably have another chance to play in Italy, but at a club level, as Serie A giants Juventus are interested in signing him as a free agent at the end of the season.