On Tuesday, Nicolo Zaniolo left Italy’s national team camp at Coverciano for personal reasons and publicly asked for his private life to be respected.
Departure from Italy camp on personal grounds
According to Zaniolo’s Instagram story, his exit from Italy’s national team camp was solely for personal reasons. Roberto Mancini had selected Zaniolo in both squads he named since being reinstated as head coach of the Italy national team.
An injury forced Zaniolo out of the first camp, and he then withdrew from the November squad on Tuesday on personal grounds. Zaniolo has not featured for Italy in over two years.
Instagram message explaining his decision and thanking the group
Zaniolo wrote about his decision in a story on his Instagram profile on Tuesday evening. Nicolo Zaniolo wrote: “Leaving Coverciano wasn’t easy, but I took this decision strictly for personal reasons. Wearing the Azzurro shirt is always a source of pride. I’d like to thank the boss, the staff and my teammates for their support. I only ask that my private life is respected and that no credence be given to reconstructions of events that have nothing to do with me. I hold this jersey close to my heart and I will continue to work hard every day to earn the chance to wear it again.”
Call for privacy and rejection of unrelated narratives
In the same message, Zaniolo underlined his request for privacy. Nicolo Zaniolo wrote: “I only ask that my private life is respected and that no credence be given to reconstructions of events that have nothing to do with me.”
Commitment to earning another Italy opportunity
Zaniolo also spoke about his bond with the national team shirt and his aims for the future. Nicolo Zaniolo wrote: “I hold this jersey close to my heart and I will continue to work hard every day to earn the chance to wear it again.” Zaniolo was handed his first Italy cap by Mancini before his club debut with Roma.
