Zaniolo keeps Italy dream alive: Gattuso ‘follows everyone’ | OneFootball

Udinese star Nicolò Zaniolo hasn’t spoken to Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso but still hopes to earn a call-up for the World Cup play-offs: ‘He follows everyone.’

Zaniolo admits he hasn’t yet spoken to Italy CT Gattuso, yet the Udinese striker hopes to play a role in the Azzurri’s World Cup play-off later this month.

“Not until now, but I know he follows everyone. The World Cup is very important for every country and every player. It’s important to qualify,” Zaniolo told Flashscore.

“In March, we have two very important matches. I know if I play well, maybe the call can come. I believe in it. I haven’t spoken with him, but I know he follows us every Sunday.”

Zaniolo struggled at Aston Villa, Atalanta and Fiorentina in the past years, but has scored six goals and provided five assists in 30 appearances across all competitions this season.

“I think in a football player’s career, there are highs and lows. In my past, I had two very big injuries in my knee,” he said.

“It was a little bit hard because when you break the first knee, it’s the first time. When you break the second, it’s strange and difficult.

“In that, I discovered the real people around me who stayed with me and helped me outside and inside the pitch. Now I’m playing well, and I’m coming back to my level. I want to continue like this. It is the right path.

“I think in my life I have made mistakes, and I recognise this. But the mistakes are in the past,” he continued.

“Now there is a future and a present to live. I want to continue to show my quality and have a good relationship with everyone. I feel like much more of a man now.

“In the past, I was a little bit immature and easily distracted. Now I have two children, a wife, and a family. I evolved. It’s a responsibility. I can’t make mistakes for my family or for me. Not anymore.”

Zaniolo controversially left Roma for Galatasaray in the 2023 winter transfer window.

TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Nicolo Zaniolo of Udinese Calcio celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Udinese Calcio at on October 29, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“I think the past is the past. I love Roma so much because my wife is from Roma, my first kid is from Roma, and I love the city,” he said.

“They gave me a lot of love. In life, every story has an end. I don’t have regrets.

“I hope that in the future things will be better. I want to live in Rome in the future because my wife wants to live there. I have nothing against the club or the fans. I will always support them.”

UDINE, ITALY – NOVEMBER 01: Nicolò Zaniolo of Udinese celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Friuli on November 01, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)