Sports
‘I cannot and I don’t want to’
FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 26: Santiago Castro of Bologna FC 1909 celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Bologna FC 1909 at Artemio Franchi on October 26, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
After Roma’s Matias Soulé, now Bologna striker Santiago Gimenez has also publicly rejected the idea of playing for Italy. ‘I cannot and I don’t want to.’
The Azzurri’s continuing struggles to qualify for a World Cup after missing the 2018 and 2022 editions see them looking around for a wider pool of talent to choose from.
That includes Argentinean players in Serie A who have some Italian ancestry and could therefore represent the Nazionale, just like Mateo Retegui and in the 2006 World Cup Mauro Camoranesi.
However, some of those approaches have been unsuccessful, with Roma starlet Soulé stating he is ready to wait for Argentina to give him his first senior cap.
Speaking to TGR RAI Emilia Romagna today, Bologna centre-forward Castro was also asked about the possibility of playing for Italy.
“Many people, joking mainly, have invited me to do it, but I cannot and I don’t want to,” he replied. “My desire is to play for Argentina.”
The 21-year-old has an Italian passport and represented Argentina at various youth levels, including Under-20 and Under-23.
Castro joined Bologna in January 2024 from Velez Sarsfield and so far this season has scored four goals with one assist in nine Serie A appearances.
Castro gives blunt response to Italy idea
