After Federico Chiesa rejects Italy call-up, Gianluigi Buffon makes feelings clear about Liverpool star with comment

Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon said that the Azzurri is ‘waiting’ for Federico Chiesa after the Liverpool forward repeatedly turned down call-ups from national team boss Gennaro Gattuso.

Chiesa hasn’t featured for the Italian national team since June 2024, when they were knocked out of the European Championship by Switzerland in the round of 16. Amid his refusal to honor the invitation to play for the national team, Gattuso explained after the draw for the World Cup play-offs in Zurich on Thursday that Chiesa has a ‘problem’ to deal with.

Since he joined Liverpool in 2024, Chiesa has struggled for game time and started just two matches for the Reds in 13 appearances in the current campaign. During an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Buffon, who is currently Italy’s delegation chief, confirmed that they are awaiting Chiesa’s return to the national team, although he admitted that the main focus is on the team as a whole.

“We need to bring back all our best players: if someone stands out, there's no reason to hold them back, especially because we need them. We're waiting for Chiesa: there are few like him in Europe. But Rino didn't leave anyone who deserved it at home. I repeat: it's the group that counts,” Buffon said.

To date, Federico Chiesa has made 51 appearances for the Italian national team, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists. He made his debut for the Azzurri in 2018 and played a key role in the journey to Euro 2020 glory.

Gennaro Gattuso’s blunt message on Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa’s refusal to play for the national team

Gattuso pulled no punches when asked about Chiesa’s absence from the national team, saying it is his problem if he isn’t in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

Chelsea’s late move to Liverpool in the summer of 2024 was initially used as an explanation for his absence from Nations League and World Cup qualifying matches. He was said to be working on his fitness after missing pre-season and was also settling into a new club and a new league.

“You know it well. You know Chiesa’s problem. You always ask me the same thing. I call Chiesa in every call-up; I always talk to him. The problem is not Gattuso or his staff; he has a problem, not us. You know it well. You always ask the same thing, and I always answer the same,” Gattuso told Sky Italia.

Despite the limited minutes under Arne Slot this season at Liverpool, Chiesa has scored two goals and provided three assists.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide