By Casey OÇonnor
As the excitement builds towards the start of the 2020 FIFA World Cup in Qatar there are many dyed in the wool football followers who are disappointed that one teenager with a very strong Stanthorpe connection will not be lacing on his boots for the Socceroos.
For most players, a World Cup call-up is a thing of dreams, but for Cristian Volpato, who turned 19 on Tuesday, a call from Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has proved to be a little complicated.
The young man who grew up in Australia but now plays in the Italy Youth system, has gained notoriety both nationally and internationally as the Australian teenager who declined Arnold’s repeated attempts to get him to Qatar.
Cristian Volpato is earning rave reviews playing for his Italian club and the talented teenager has made it clear he’s in no rush to pick which nation (Australia or Italy) to represent.
“I have seen lots of speculation about decisions I have supposedly taken at international level,” he said.
“The truth is that I am still just at the start of my professional career, and I am totally focused on continuing that process at Roma.
“Making any sort of rushed decision about my international future at this early-stage risks being extremely premature.
“There will be plenty of time for me to make the decision that feels right for me, but right now I know my focus needs to be on continuing to work hard each, and every day in order to continue improving as a player.
“For now, it’s time to focus on the next game against Sassuolo.”
It is a brave and mature decision for a teenager to make.
As young Volpato makes a name for himself on the international stage, the Volpato family name has been synonymous with Football on the Granite Belt for many decades.
Although born in Sydney in 2003, Cristian has a strong Stanthorpe linage. His Nonno (grandfather) Sergio Volpato and Nonna Lina Volpato owned an orchard at Thulimbah and sons Oscar (Cristian’s father), Deni and Robbie were all born in Stanthorpe.
Cristian’s father Oscar and brothers attended both Thulimbah Primary School and Stanthorpe State High school.
The family moved to Sydney after selling their farm.
The love of football runs deeply through the Volpato family.
Many followers of Stanthorpe Soccer will remember Sergio as a member of the first International Club Soccer team.
He played for many years in the local competition alongside teammates including well-known Stanthorpe identities including Livio Favero and Billy Theo.
Oscar played for Norths with his cousins, Milco and John Volpato. Milco Volpato is very familiar to those playing today, as a driving force behind the Stanthorpe City FC for many years.
Sergio Volpato recognised his grandson’s talent when he began kicking a ball around as a four or five-year-old. It was not long before he began playing junior football in Abbotsford, where his talent for scoring goals was difficult to ignore.
Volpato joined the AC Milan Soccer School, Sydney FC and was invited to join the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy.
Failing to gain a contract with an Australian Football Club, Volpato, at the tender age of 15, chose to take another pathway towards his goal of becoming a professional football player.
The young Aussie trialled in the AS Roma Youth Sector and was noticed after demonstrating his attacking abilities.
He signed his first professional contract in 2021 as a member of the AS Roma Youth team. He has recently signed an extension of this contract until 2026.
The now 19-year-old, who is managed and mentored by Italian legend Francesco Totti, has earned rave reviews and more playing minutes from the successful and celebrated coach Jose Mourinho.
In December 2021, Volpato made his senior debut in Serie-A, Italian football league.
In February, he scored his first professional goal in a match against Hellas Verona and has represented Italy in the Under 19, 2022 UEFA European Championship.
He recently received a call up to play for Italia U21 in a friendly against Germany. This game will be played on the 19 November.
Cristian Volpato is eligible to represent both Italy and Australia internationally. In a brave move, by a young man so early in his career he has chosen to reject Graham Arnold’s recent offer and concentrate on playing the long game.
The Volpato family in Sydney and extended family in Stanthorpe could not be more proud of this young man’s achievements so early in a promising career.
None more so than his Nonno Sergio, who at 88 enjoys watching and critiquing his every game.
In 2020 FIFA unveiled rule changes that effectively gives Cristian two more years to debut for Italy and switch to Australia if his Azzurri career stalls.
Although some will be disappointed that Volpato will not be pulling on the green and gold for the Socceroos, his proud Nonno and close family members, including those in Stanthorpe and many friends in the Stanthorpe football community who have long standing connections to the Volpato family, look forward to watching Cristian Volpato’s career as it unfolds.
