Romano explains why he chose Italy over Switzerland: ‘Ranieri contacted me’

Romano explains why he chose Italy over Switzerland: ‘Ranieri contacted me’ Alessandro Romano has spoken at length about his decision to represent the Italy national team at senior level, rather than Switzerland, whom he represented in the youth categories, and has explained the role that both Claudio Ranieri and CT Roberto Mancini played in his decision. Romano on Cagliari success, Italy call and Switzerland snub: ‘A decision from the heart’ Romano was handed his first call-up to the Italy national team for Mancini’s first camp back in charge of the Azzurri ahead of a series of Nations League fixtures against Belgium, Turkiye, France and Turkiye again coming up over the next few weeks. ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 15: Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini attends before the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 semifinal match between Spain and Italy at FC Twente Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Enschede, Netherlands. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) The 20-year-old was born and raised in Switzerland to Italian parents, who originated from Naples and Apulia, and moved back to Italy at the age of 16 when he joined the Roma academy from his boyhood side FC Winterthur. Since then, he has made two league appearances for the Giallorossi, spent the first half of 2026 on loan in Serie B with Spezia, but has since enjoyed a rapid rise to the top after joining Cagliari for the 2026-27 campaign. He went on to score in his first Serie A appearance of the 2026-27 season and has since formally switched international allegiances from Italy to Switzerland, before being named in Mancini’s squad of 34 players for the extra-long September-October international break. “The possibility of this happening is what drove me every day,”  Romano told Swiss outlet Blick about his rapid ascent to the Italy national team squad. PARMA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Alessandro Romano of Cagliari Calcio. celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images) “Before pre-season training started with Cagliari, I worked hard over the summer, I prepared in the best possible way. The fact that things are going so well now confirms the hard work that I put in.” Romano says that the hard work he has put in over the last few months should not be underestimated. “I wanted to give everything in training and push to make as many appearances as possible. Before pre-season, I watched as many Cagliari games as possible to understand how Fabio Pisacane wants to play. Preparing well is very important to me.” The 20-year-old went on to discuss his decision to represent Italy at senior international level, rather than Switzerland, despite his previous appearances for their U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 sides. “Because that’s how I felt in my heart,” he insisted. “I didn’t make a list of pros and cons, or think about where I would have the most opportunities to play, or who qualified for a major tournament most recently. PARMA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Alessandro Romano of Cagliari Calcio. celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images) “After they filled the positions at the FIGC, Mister Ranieri contacted me. He was the one who had promoted me at Roma. “The fact that a national team coach and a former world class player like Mister Mancini made a personal effort to help me is really special and something that makes me really proud. I’m honoured to have had the interest of Mister Mancini and Mister Yakin at the age of 20. On top of the fact that both national team coaches came to see me at Cagliari. Technical Director Claudio Ranieri and coach Roberto Mancini pose with the Italy jersey (@azzurri) “In the end, it was a choice made from the heart. A decision that was made *for* a nation, not *against* the other.” Romano still has a way to go before he becomes a guaranteed starter for the Italy national team, so for now, all he can do is continue impressing with his performances at club level. “[Mancini] has shown me what the next steps could look like, just as Mister Yakin also explained to me. The most important thing is that I perform well and develop myself at club level. There is competition everywhere. But I have an opportunity to put myself forward every week.”