Cristian Volpato Explained

Cristian Volpato
Birth Date:2003 11, df=yes
Birth Place:Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Height:1.87 m
Position:Attacking midfielder, winger
Currentclub:Sassuolo
Clubnumber:7
Youthyears1:2013–2015
Youthclubs1:Sydney United 58
Youthyears2:2016–2018
Youthclubs2:Sydney FC
Youthyears3:2018–2020
Youthclubs3:Western Sydney Wanderers
Youthyears4:2020–2022
Youthclubs4:Roma
Years1:2021–2023
Clubs1:Roma
Caps1:10
Goals1:2
Years2:2023–
Clubs2:Sassuolo
Caps2:22
Goals2:1
Nationalyears1:2022
Nationalteam1:Italy U19
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalyears2:2022–
Nationalteam2:Italy U20
Nationalcaps2:7
Nationalgoals2:2
Nationalyears3:2022–
Nationalteam3:Italy U21
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:1
Pcupdate:29 May 2024
Nationalteam-Update:16 November 2023

Cristian Volpato (born 15 November 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for club Sassuolo. Born and raised in Australia, Volpato has represented Italy internationally at youth level since 2022.

Early life

Volpato was born in Camperdown,[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] an inner western suburb of Sydney in Australia.[6] He attended the prestigious rugby school St Joseph's College Hunters Hill.[7]

Club career

Youth career

Volpato first started playing football in Abbotsford, in Sydney suburbs, where he was a prolific goalscorer.[8] [9]

This allowed him to take his first steps into professional football, at Andrea Icardi's AC Milan Soccer School, Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers academy.[10] [11] [12] [13] He soon earned a trial in the AS Roma Youth Sector through Fabrizio Piccareta.[14] [15]

After a few months in Rome where he was able to demonstrate his attacking abilities, the young footballer signed a three-year contract with the club from the Italian capital in January 2020.[16] [17] A month later he also joined Francesco Totti's agency, while he had already taken the number 10 shirt with Roma's Youth.[18] [19]

A year later, Volpato signed his first professional contract with Roma, a new three-year deal tying him to the club until 2024.[20] As the youth competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, he then became a regular with the under-18, scoring five goals during the 2020–21 season, soon earning a place in the under-19s squad.

Roma

Volpato made his professional debut for Roma on 4 December 2021, aged 18, in a Serie A match lost 3–0 against Inter Milan.[21] On 19 February 2022, Volpato scored his first Serie A goal in a match drawn 2–2 against Hellas Verona.[22]

In the following season, after making his debut in the UEFA Europa League with Roma, he made his first league appearance on 31 October 2022, coming on as a substitute for Nicolò Zaniolo at the 57th minute of the match against Hellas Verona. In the occasion, he scored a goal and assisted Stephan El Shaarawy for another one, thus helping Roma obtain a 3–1 win.[23] [24]

Sassuolo

After stalling for much of negotiation,[25] on 29 June 2023, Volpato signed a contract to Sassuolo,[26] after completing a €7.5 million transfer which included a 15% future resale fee.[27] The transfer is the third-highest fee for an Australian player.[28]

Volpato scored his first goal for Sassuolo against Bologna on 3rd February 2024.

International career

Despite being born in Australia, Volpato is a dual citizen of both Australia and Italy,[29] Volpato is eligible to represent either Australia or Italy internationally.[30]

In early August 2021, Volpato was called by Carmine Nunziata to the Italy national under-19 team,[31] being however forced to forfeit a few days later.[32] He took part in the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship with Italy U19, scoring two goals in the tournament.On 12 December 2021, it was reported that Australia national team manager Graham Arnold was considering calling up Volpato for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Vietnam and Oman. He was also called up to the Australia U23 side; however, he was withdrawn from the squad by Roma.[33] In March 2022, following Australia's 2–0 loss to Japan, Volpato posted an image on his Snapchat story poking fun at the team. This led to many fans labeling him as "childish" and "immature".[34] With Australia announcing their World Cup squad on 8 November, Graham Arnold disclosed that Volpato had been offered a spot in the 26 man squad, but declined the opportunity.[35]

On 19 November 2022, he made his debut for the Italy U21 squad in a friendly match lost 4–2 against Germany.

Style of play

Volpato is able to play both as a trequartista or a winger. Seen as a regista or deep-lying playmaker in his early career, he is often compared to Totti, his model as a number 10 and his direct mentor in his first year at Roma.

Career statistics

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueCoppa ItaliaEuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Roma2021–22Serie A31000031
2022–23711030111
Total1021030142
Sassuolo2023–24Serie A22130251
Career total3434030413

Honours

Roma

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Carina. Stefano. 2021-10-26. Roma, Mourinho convoca il 17enne Volpato, il primo della scuderia di Totti. live. 2021-12-07. Il Messaggero. it. https://web.archive.org/web/20211028082213/https://www.ilmessaggero.it/sport/calcio/roma_mourinho_convoca_17enne_volpato_primo_scuderia_di_totti-6282588.html . 28 October 2021 .
  2. Web site: Zucchelli. Chiara. 27 Oct 2021. Dalla scuderia Totti col 10 sulle spalle. Roma, la prima di Volpato. live. 2021-12-05. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it-IT. https://web.archive.org/web/20211027150008/https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Roma/27-10-2021/roma-prima-convocazione-volpato-chi-ragazzo-primavera-4202091467824.shtml . 27 October 2021 .
  3. Web site: Bergantini. Luca. 5 Apr 2021. Christian Volpato, un Aussie nella città eterna. live. 2021-12-05. MondoPrimavera. it. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415072737/https://www.mondoprimavera.com/news/329803795974/focus-christian-volpato-un-aussie-nella-citt-agrave-eterna . 15 April 2021 .
  4. Web site: Federici. Thomas. 4 December 2021. Résultat et résumé AS Rome - Inter Milan, Serie A, 16e journée. live. 2021-12-05. L'Équipe. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20211205005510/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/match-direct/championnat-d-italie/2021-2022/as-rome-inter-milan-live/519327 . 5 December 2021 .
  5. Web site: Cardia. Ivan. 1 Nov 2021. Roma, Mourinho punta ancora sulla Primavera: i prossimi cinque talenti da lanciare. live. 2021-12-05. TUTTOmercatoWEB. it. https://web.archive.org/web/20211101165120/https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/roma-mourinho-punta-ancora-sulla-primavera-i-prossimi-cinque-talenti-da-lanciare-1603815 . 1 November 2021 .
  6. Web site: 14 September 2021. Cristian Volpato is set to tear it up for AS Roma – and possibly turn his back on Australia. live. 2021-12-05. The Roar. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210915091612/https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/09/15/cristian-volpato-is-set-to-tear-it-up-for-as-roma-and-possibly-turn-his-back-on-australia/ . 15 September 2021 .
  7. https://twitter.com/sjcobu/status/1468161669167681537
  8. Web site: Paoli. Alessandro. 5 Dec 2021. Esordio in A per Volpato. Il 10 italo-austrialiano nel segno di Totti. live. 2021-12-05. Voce Giallorossa. TUTTOmercatoWEB. it. https://web.archive.org/web/20211205105329/https://www.vocegiallorossa.it/approfondimenti/esordio-in-a-per-volpato-il-10-italo-austrialiano-nel-segno-di-totti-218304 . 5 December 2021 .
  9. Web site: Raso. Emilio. 2021-02-26. Volpato: "Che emozione lavorare con Dzeko, Pedro e Mkhitaryan". live. 2021-12-07. Il Romanista. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227065112/https://www.ilromanista.eu/news/settore-giovanile/77017/volpato-ache-emozione-lavorare-con-dzeko-pedro-e-mkhitaryana . 27 February 2021 .
  10. Web site: Lewis. Dave. 19 May 2020. Meet the Roma-based Aussie who's been snapped up by Totti. live. 2021-12-07. SBS. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211206025007/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sport/football/article/2020/05/19/meet-roma-based-aussie-whos-been-snapped-totti . 6 December 2021 .
  11. Web site: Davidson. John. 23 Feb 2021. Aussie teenager signs pro deal with Roma. live. 2021-12-07. SBS. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211207104952/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sport/football/article/2021/02/23/aussie-teenager-signs-pro-deal-roma . 7 December 2021 .
  12. News: Symonds . Nick . The next Socceroos golden generation . 29 January 2022 . The Roar . 6 March 2021.
  13. Web site: 2016-09-28. Football NSW squads ready for National Youth Championships. live. 2021-12-07. Football NSW. en-AU. https://web.archive.org/web/20211207111507/https://footballnsw.com.au/2016/09/29/football-nsw-squads-ready-for-national-youth-championships/ . 7 December 2021 .
  14. Web site: Andrea Di Carlo. 2021-09-13. Volpato, numero 10 "benedetto" dal Capitano. 2021-12-05. Siamo la Roma. it-IT.
  15. Web site: Bossi. Dominic. 2021-09-16. Cut by Wanderers but selected for Italy: How Sydney kid slipped from Australia's grasp. live. 2021-12-07. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210916195517/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/cut-by-wanderers-but-selected-for-italy-how-sydney-kid-slipped-from-australia-s-grasp-20210916-p58sd5.html . 16 September 2021 .
  16. Web site: Rugari. Vince. Bossi. Dominic. 2020-01-23. Macarthur FC hit one Mile-stone, but losing hope of reaching another. live. 2021-12-07. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200123184610/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/macarthur-fc-hit-one-mile-stone-but-losing-hope-of-reaching-another-20200123-p53u2n.html . 23 January 2020 .
  17. Web site: 21 Jan 2020. Roma scatenata sul mercato! Ecco Cristian Volpato. live. 2021-12-07. Gazzetta Regionale. it. https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195031/https://www.gazzettaregionale.it/under-17/2020/01/21/news/roma-scatenata-sul-mercato-ecco-cristian-volpato-92090/ . 9 December 2021 .
  18. Web site: Rupolo. Nicholas. 19 Feb 2020. The Mixer: Francesco Totti to sign Aussie starlet. live. 2021-12-07. FTBL. https://web.archive.org/web/20200222114746/https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/the-mixer-francesco-totti-to-sign-aussie-starlet-538226 . 22 February 2020 .
  19. Web site: 2020-08-06. Totti, presa la procura del giovane Cristian Volpato. live. 2021-12-07. IlRomanista.eu. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919033833/https://www.ilromanista.eu/football-please/news/50411/foto-totti-presa-la-procura-del-giovane-cristian-volpato . 19 September 2020 .
  20. Web site: 2021-02-23. Roma, Volpato rinnova fino al 2024: "Incredibile allenarsi con Dzeko, Mkhitaryan e Pedro". live. 2021-12-07. Roma news. it-IT. https://web.archive.org/web/20211209194634/https://www.romanews.eu/roma-volpato-rinnova-fino-al-2024-incredibile-allenarsi-con-dzeko-mkhitaryan-e-pedro/ . 9 December 2021 .
  21. Web site: Canicchio. Lorenzo. 4 Dec 2021. Esordio in Serie A per Cristian Volpato. Giornata comunque memorabile per lui. live. 7 December 2021. Gazzetta Regionale. https://web.archive.org/web/20211204185650/https://www.gazzettaregionale.it/home/2021/12/04/news/esordio-in-serie-a-per-cristian-volpato-un-giorno-comunque-memorabile-124627/ . 4 December 2021 .
  22. Web site: Chi è Volpato, il talento gestito da Totti a segno in Roma-Verona Goal.com. 2022-02-20. www.goal.com.
  23. News: Ottaviano . Luca . 2022-10-31 . Roma, da Verona a Verona: il filo giallorosso di Volpato . it . MondoPrimavera . 2022-11-01.
  24. Web site: Rotondaro . Vittorio . 2022-11-01 . Chi è Volpato, il talento gestito da Totti a segno due volte contro il Verona . 2022-11-01 . Goal.com . it.
  25. Web site: Accordo Roma-Sassuolo per Volpato: 9 milioni alla 'Lupa', ma il giocatore temporeggia Goal.com Italia . Goal Italia . it . 12 June 2023.
  26. Web site: Calciomercato Cristian Volpato è un nuovo calciatore neroverde . U.S. Sassuolo Calcio . it-IT . 29 June 2023.
  27. Web site: Marzio . Gianluca Di . Sassuolo, ufficiali gli acquisti di Volpato e Missori dalla Roma . Gianluca Di Marzio . it.
  28. Web site: Teen prodigy seals third-biggest Aussie transfer ever as Socceroos locked in Italy tug of war . Fox Sports . en . 29 June 2023.
  29. Web site: Austin . Jack . ‘Bitter taste’ could see Socceroos miss out on future superstar Cristian Volpato . Optus Sport . 11 June 2023.
  30. Web site: Lewis . Dave . 'He loves Australia': AS Roma starlet ready to commit to Socceroos . FTBL . 2 March 2022.
  31. Web site: 2021-08-06. First match of the season on 13 August against Albania: Nunziata selects 25 Azzurrini. live. 2021-12-07. Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806091513/https://www.figc.it/en/national-teams/news/first-match-of-the-season-on-13-august-against-albania-nunziata-selects-25-azzurrini/ . 6 August 2021 .
  32. Web site: Paoli. Alessandro. 8 Aug 2021. Forfait El Hilali, Volpato e Zanotti. Convocati Cavallini e Giovane. live. 2021-12-07. Tutto Nazionali. it. https://web.archive.org/web/20211205113620/https://www.tuttonazionali.com/under-19/forfait-el-hilali-volpato-e-zanotti-convocati-cavallini-e-giovane-15026 . 5 December 2021 .
  33. Web site: Socceroos' plot to hand shock cap to Serie a prodigy Cristian Volpato, to avoid losing him to Italy. 12 December 2021.
  34. News: Online trolls 'driving' Roma starlet away from Socceroos. Dave. Lewis. FTBL. 6 April 2022.
  35. Web site: Cristian Volpato declined to play for Socceroos at World Cup, says Australia coach Graham Arnold . 2022-11-08 . www.sportingnews.com . en.
  36. News: Lowe . Sid . 31 May 2023 . Montiel edges Sevilla to seventh Europa League triumph with win over Roma . The Guardian . 1 June 2023 . 0261-3077.