In a surprising turn of events, Federico Chiesa communicated to Italy's head coach, Gennaro Gattuso, that he felt unprepared to rejoin the national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Israel.

Despite Italy's need for fresh talent, particularly with Chiesa's absence since Euro 2024, Gattuso respected the player's honest self-assessment. "I knew what I needed from Chiesa, and he made it clear he wasn't ready to contribute,” Gattuso remarked during a press conference. "I prefer players who are completely committed and mentally ready for competition."

The 27-year-old forward had started this season on a high note, scoring his first Premier League goal for Liverpool as a substitute in a dramatic match against Bournemouth. His performances sparked hope among fans for a more substantial role this season.

However, his exclusion from Liverpool’s Champions League squad raised eyebrows, especially since young talent Rio Ngumoha was chosen over the former Juventus star. It’s worth noting that Ngumoha does not meet the criteria for a homegrown player, having joined Liverpool from Chelsea just last year.

Under UEFA rules, clubs can name a maximum of 25 players in their List A squad, with restrictions on the number of non-homegrown players allowed. Liverpool faced this issue, as only five of their players are classified as homegrown. This limited their roster and ultimately led to Chiesa's omission.

As the ongoing saga unfolds, many are left wondering if Chiesa will regain his form and return to the international stage. The player’s commitment to personal improvement suggests he is determined to come back stronger.