Politano admits ‘hard to talk about’ Italy World Cup failure & fights for ‘change from the ground up’ | OneFootball

Matteo Politano has admitted that Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup remains a painful subject, describing it as the last chance for a generation of over-30s and calling for a fundamental restructuring of Italian football’s approach to youth development.

Speaking to Radio CRC, via CalcioMercato, after Napoli sealed Champions League qualification, the winger was reflective and at times emotional as he addressed both the club’s campaign and the Azzurri’s damaging elimination.

NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 14: Matteo Politano of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his side second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Lecce at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Politano praises De Bruyne impact at Napoli and hails exciting youngster Vergara

On the national team, Politano was candid. “I find it hard to talk about,” he said.

“It was awful. For those of us over 30, it was our last chance, so there was enormous regret. I am very attached to Gattuso, I care about him a lot and I was so sorry for him and for everyone.

“I think that to restart Italian football we need to rebuild from the foundations and from the youth sectors. There are very few Italians in the academies of the top clubs. We complain that there are no Italian players, but if we do not develop them ourselves it becomes very difficult.”

On Napoli’s season, Politano acknowledged the toll of a demanding and injury-hit campaign while taking pride in what the group achieved.

“It has been a long season with many commitments and injuries, but what we have built over these two years has been clear for all to see,” he said.

“We faced difficult moments where we sometimes struggled to put 11 players on the pitch, but we always tried to give our maximum.”

Politano also hailed the impact of two new players in the Napoli camp.

On youngster Antonio Vergara, he was enthusiastic. “He has impressed me enormously, he has great desire and real character,” he said. “He must play freely and think only of himself and the team.”

On Kevin De Bruyne, Politano expressed genuine regret at how little the club saw of him. “We lost him for four months and it was a significant absence,” he said. “Having a champion of that level available is important and unfortunately we enjoyed him too little.”