‘Italy has 50 per cent fewer players available than in 2006’
CREMONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Lucas Da Cunha of Como 1907 celebrates after scoring the 1-3 penalty during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Como 1907 at Stadio Giovanni Zini on May 24, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
Lega Serie A President Ezio Maria Simonelli warns the statistics explain why Italy are struggling. ‘In 2006, we had 400 players who could be called up, but today it is just 190.’
The Azzurri are one of the most successful nations in World Cup history, winning the trophy four times, most recently in 2006.
However, they have now failed to qualify for three consecutive editions of the tournament, and Italian football is wondering where it all went so very wrong.
Simonelli identifies Italy problem
Speaking at the Sport and Finance convention, Lega Serie A chief Simonelli points to the foundations.
“In 2006, we had circa 400 players who could be called up by the Nazionale, but today it is just 190. That means starting out with over 50 per cent fewer options to choose from,” he noted.
The areas where players traditionally came up from the streets and played at the top level are becoming ghost towns for professionals now.
“From Sicily, an island with 4.7 million inhabitants, there is just one player in the top five European leagues. Calabria, with 1.8 million inhabitants, is in a similar situation. Is it possible that such dense areas of this country’s population produce just 1 per cent of its players?
“Until we relaunch Italian football, it will be difficult to relaunch the financial side of the sport too.”
The issue had already been highlighted by the famous Roberto Baggio dossier, which suggested investment in Federation academies in the areas where kids traditionally played football.
It was largely ignored and the problem continued to grow worse as time went on.
