How a punt on a trial in Italy created the Socceroos' next star

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Volpato was rejected by two Australian soccer academies before his made his mark in Italy. (Getty Images: Al Sermeno/ISI Photos/ISI Photos)

Cristian Volpato says he holds no animosity towards Australian club soccer, despite twice being rejected by A-League academies and having to prove himself in Italy.

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The winger was released by Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers' academies, before being granted a trial at AS Roma in Italy.

"Growing up in Australia and playing for the two best academies in Sydney, I got told by both of them that, basically, I'm not good enough to play," Volpato said.

"I just remember the car ride home with my dad. I was crying. He just says, 'We'll go to Italy now and we'll try it.''

"My mum, she sold her shop. We leased our house. We left everything just to go for a trial.

"Thank God I made the trial, and my life changed from there.

"I feel like I have to give a lot as well to Italy because they gave me a second opportunity."

Volpato plays in Italy's Serie A for Sassuolo, though his opportunities for minutes have been limited. (Getty Images: Marco Canoniero)

Volpato's ties to Italy go beyond his heritage. His former manager was legendary striker Francesco Totti, while his former coach was Fabio Grosso, who famously won the penalty that sent Australia out of the 2006 World Cup.

Volpato's last-minute switch to the Socceroos caught many off-guard, and was greeted with scepticism by some fans who weren't convinced of his motives.

The winger's move was announced just days before the Australian squad for the World Cup was announced, with some fans speculating that he only made the switch after being left out of Italy's latest squad.

Cristian Volpato says he only decided to join Australia days before the final squad was named for the World Cup. (Getty Images: Matt McNulty/FIFA)

Volpato said he had seen the comments, and those made since he turned down the opportunity to play for the Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup.

"Sometimes there's going to be stuff said about you. There are going to be good things, and there are going to be bad things.

"I feel like, as a footballer, you've just got to be resilient. And sometimes you can use it as fuel as well, and I like to use that."

Volpato's performances against the USA and Paraguay have made him one of Australia's best attacking weapons. (Getty Images: FIFA/Sarah Stier)

Volpato said he only settled on his decision after Sassuolo, his club side, played Parma, Alessandro Circati's club, in late May.

"Something clicked. My heart. It said, 'Just go. I think you belong there,'" he said.

"I didn't want to come being 50-50. If I wanted to come, it's because I wanted to come and because I felt it was right.

"It's been a long time, but I'm grateful that I made my decision, and it came from me, and it came from my heart, and some things may take longer than others."

After he made his decision, Volpato faced a race to get approval and documentation, which included a dash to Australia.

"I had to get my passport because my passport had expired," he said.

"So thank God, and thank you to the people at the passport place who helped me get it quickly."

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