Acerbi: ‘I felt used by Spalletti, but would gladly play for Gattuso’s Italy’ in 2026 World Cup

FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 15: Serie A defender Francesco Acerbi of Italy looks on during a training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 15, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Inter defender Francesco Acerbi explains why he rejected an Italy call-up following a row with Luciano Spalletti, but would be ready to play for Gennaro Gattuso. ‘I felt used.’

The centre-back was effectively dropped from international duty during the EURO 2024 qualifiers, with Spalletti declaring in a press conference that the 37-year-old was simply too old to be part of the squad going forward.

When the Azzurri had to take on Norway in the World Cup qualifier, Spalletti decided that he was desperate and therefore went back on his suggestion, but the damage had been done to the rapport.

Acerbi explains row with Spalletti

“I didn’t go to the Euros, so I underwent surgery, even if I had done everything to be fit for the tournament,” Acerbi told Sky Sport Italia.

“In any case, I didn’t receive any phone call to tell me I wasn’t included. I don’t expect anything in football, so it ended there. He is the coach, he is paid to decide which players to pick, that’s not a problem.

“Where it became an issue was that he said some things in public that frankly weren’t very nice, nor necessary.”

When Spalletti did call Acerbi to talk to him directly, the attitude was again considered a problem by the veteran defender.

“Spalletti had called twice, then that morning he rang up almost apologising. But then he said there were injuries, so I’d basically be called up to play against Norway and that’s it. He didn’t say maybe he’d keep me in mind for the World Cup or other matches, nothing,” continued the Inter player.

“When you put this together with what he’d said before, I felt used. I’m 37 years old, I’ve played for many years, so if I’m wanted for just one match and then will get dumped again, I may as well stay home.

“I am not Leo Messi, nor Pele, I am a nobody, but after what happened to call up and say those things…”

Spalletti was sacked in June after Italy’s 3-0 defeat to Norway, the match where Acerbi was meant to be given a recall purely to mark Erling Haaland.

Now that Gattuso is at the helm, would the Inter veteran consider a return to the Nazionale?

“I live for my family and for football, I always said that I will always be ready to play for Italy, just not in that particular circumstance… I wasn’t trying to say goodbye to the national team forever.

“So far, Gattuso has said no. He is the coach, he is the one who decides, so if he was to call, I’d be ready. If not, I continue along my path.”