Rossi reflects on 2014 snub and Italy’s youth problem: ‘It happened to me too’

Rossi was born and raised in New Jersey, where he now lives full time again in retirement. His current base is just a stone’s throw away from the MetLife Stadium, where the final of the 2026 World Cup will be played.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm, it’s all anyone’s talking about,” said Rossi. “I live in New Jersey, 10 minutes from the stadium where the final will be played. I would have liked to see Italy there.”

But, after the play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March, Italy will not feature at the final tournament. “It’s a shame. Now we need somebody who loves football,” said Rossi.

The 30-time Italy international believes that the Azzurri would have qualified and that there wouldn’t be such a large-scale inquest into the failures of the national team had Alessandro Bastoni not been sent off in the first half against Bosnia: “Without the red card, we would have won against Bosnia. We would have got to the World Cup and there would have been no discussion.”

Rossi also revealed that he had the opportunity to represent the USA two years before his debut with Italy: “In 2006, but I’m happy that I chose Italy. It was my dream and I promised it to my father.”

Rossi scored seven goals from 30 caps with the Italy national team, but a long-term injury saw him left off the final roster for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, despite being named on the preliminary 30-man squad list.

“Yes, I know I could have done well because I was recovering and I was doing well mentally. But so many years have passed now, I don’t think about it anymore,” Rossi insisted.

Rossi was asked whether he thinks that Italy ahs a problem with developing young attacking talents given the apparent lack of options available to the national team at centre-forward and especially on the wings.

He feels that this is a temporary issue, but does admit that there are not enough opportunities handed to young Italian talents in Serie A: “No, it’s gone like that this year, but the real problem is the growth of the Italian footballer. There is no patience, you need to find a coach with their heart in the right place.

“It happened to me as well: The President of Parma proposed me to all the big names, from Milan to Juve and Inter, but nobody wanted to take a punt on me so I had to go abroad.”

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 15: Giuseppe Rossi of Manchester United in action during the Pre-season friendly Vodacom Challenge match between Manchester United and Orlando Pirates at ABSA stadium on July 15, 2006 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Touchline/Getty Images)

The 39-year-old also admitted that he had interest from the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Napoli at the height of his career.

“It’s true. It was 2012 and I already had the contracts done. Napoli were there as well. I had a good conversation with De Laurentiis, but that unfortunately didn’t go ahead.”

Instead, Rossi joined Fiorentina in 2013: “An unforgettable period,” he recalled. “That Fiorentina 4-2 Juventus game remains one of the greatest ever feelings in my career.”

And if there are any current Fiorentina players that could go on to earn legendary status in Tuscany, Rossi says: “Maybe Gudmundsson. If he becomes a little meaner and takes on a few more responsibilities, he could become an idol in Florence.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 22: Albert Gudmundsson of ACF Fiorentina in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Rossi also spoke about his former teammate Daniele De Rossi, currently in charge of Genoa: “He’s someone who gives you an enormous charge, he makes you want to play for him. He will go a long way as a coach.”

And lastly, discussing his former coach Claudio Ranieri and the ongoing tensions that he faces at Roma, Rossi said: “He immediately gave me confidence at 19. It was just for six months, but it was great. He deserves respect from the world of football.

“They have two geniuses with Gasperini, they will find a common ground. But in the end, tell me a coach and sporting director who really get along.”