Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella claims that Mauro Icardi wants to play for the nation of his birth and not Italy.
The Sampdoria” data-scaytid=”3″>Sampdoria striker has the paperwork to appear for both countries and Italy CT Cesare Prandelli recently admitted that talks had taken place.
Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella claims that Mauro Icardi wants to play for the nation of his birth and not Italy.
The Sampdoria striker has the paperwork to appear for both countries and Italy CT Cesare Prandelli recently admitted that talks had taken place.
However, Sabella too has spoken to the 19-year-old after watching him in action against Roma on Sunday.
“The first question I asked him was about his intentions and he told me that it is his desire to play for Argentina,” Sabella noted to Central Fox Sports.
“Icardi, obviously, is being considered for the national side given what he is doing, but it all depends on his form for Sampdoria and our games.
“I didn’t promise him anything, but I gave him the certainty that he is being observed and that he could be selected.”
Argentina are next in action against Venezuela and Bolivia in March. “We’ll have to see if I choose him for those,” the tactician added.
“I don’t want to say too much, but Icardi is certainly a player of interest.”
Sabella also admitted that he spoke to the Roma duo of Erik Lamela and Nicolas Burdisso following Sampdoria’s 3-1 win over the Giallorossi.