Australia's Socceroos may see Cristian Volpato make his debut in the upcoming friendly against Mexico, as coach Tony Popovic has confirmed that the late addition to the squad poses no risk. Volpato, who recently switched allegiance from Italy, is set to join the pre-camp in Los Angeles on Saturday morning, ahead of the match scheduled for Sunday AEST.

Volpato's Journey to the Socceroos

Born and raised in Sydney, Volpato honed his skills at clubs including Sydney United 58, Sydney FC, and Western Sydney before moving to Italy. He has previously represented Italy at the U19 and U20 levels. Notably, he declined an invitation from Graham Arnold to join the Qatar 2022 squad, stating in March that he was "waiting for Italy," a decision that took a turn when Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Popovic's Confidence in Volpato

In a pre-match press conference held in Pasadena, Popovic expressed his confidence in Volpato's readiness to represent Australia at the Rose Bowl. He emphasized that the decision for Volpato to join the national team was made after the player indicated his desire to play for Australia. "It’s not so much now trying to tick off who called who when, but he’d made his indication that he wants to play for Australia," Popovic stated. He added that the coaching staff had always respected Volpato's choices and were pleased to facilitate his inclusion in the squad.

As the Socceroos prepare for their match against Mexico, the addition of Volpato could provide a significant boost to the team, showcasing the depth of talent available as they gear up for future competitions.