Soccer Italia - Azzurri Fans & Italian Soccer Forum

I have been questioning how Maradona has been skipping trying Zarate on the argentine national team despite being one of Serie A's most highly rated and being Lazio's top player. I highly doubt this would happen, but Zarate would be a huge boost if it ever happened.

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Zarate to play for Azzurri?     
Saturday 24 October, 2009
There are rumours that if Argentina continue to ignore Mauro Zarate, Marcello Lippi will call the Lazio striker for Italy.

He would be the latest of the ‘Oriundi’ – South Americans who play for the Azzurri – to switch sides after Mauro Camoranesi and soon-to-be Amauri.

Zarate is available immediately for selection, as he already has an Italian passport because his mother was born in Catanzaro.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, the hitman could be a late addition to the 2010 World Cup squad.

Despite his splendid form for Lazio, he has only ever played for Argentina at Under-20 level and so is not tied down to that nation by FIFA’s rules.

However, it would be a turnaround for Lippi, who stated he was not interested in any more Oriundi after Camoranesi and Amauri.

Others put themselves forward for consideration, such as Inter midfielder Thiago Motta and Roma’s Brazilian winger Rodrigo Taddei, but the Coach ruled them out.
   

Zarate is turning into a great player, but when theirs Italian talent on the doorstep again I don't see the necessity to go down this path. Cassano, and Pazzini, would be a fantastic partnership to try at International level though I fear this won't be seen until after Lippi has left the setup.

I agree with your comment.  It's sad that players who have talent and could be a potential asset to the  national team are overlooked.

if they have italian blood...then why not?