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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Nicky Bandini

Maturing Nicolò Barella and Italy driven by pain of missing World Cup

Nicolò Barella Jorginho Italy Luciano Spalletti Albania World Cup Federico Chiesa Federico Dimarco Euro Euro 2024
Nicolò Barella and Italy teammates celebrate a goal against Albania
Jorginho (centre right) congratulates Nicolò Barella after the Internazionale midfielder scored the winner in their 2-1 success against Albania. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Observer

Nicolò Barella did not relish being reminded he has scored more international goals than any other player in Italy’s squad at Euro 2024. “That worries me a bit,” he said when the detail was put to him at the end of the 2-1 win against Albania on Saturday. “It means I’m getting old.”

At 27, Barella is hardly in the twilight of his career. There are plenty of older players representing the Azzurri in Germany, and yet only one outfielder, Jorginho, has been capped more times. The Arsenal player made his 55th Italy appearance against Albania. Barella is on 54.

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