Italy

Ciao capitano: Milan mourns Franco Baresi at legendary footballer’s funeral – in pictures

· The Guardian

One of the finest defenders in history, the former Italy and Milan player died last week aged 66. Former teammates and huge crowds paid their respects at Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio

Franco Baresi, iconic Milan and Italy legend, dies aged 66

· The Guardian

Former defender had had surgery on pulmonary nodule ‘The entire history of ⁠Milan is in ⁠tears,’ Serie A club says The former Milan and Italy defender Franco Baresi, one of the most recognisable players of the ⁠golden…

‘I’m very sorry’: Mancini apologises after being reappointed as Italy head coach

· The Guardian

Mancini quit Italy job to take over Saudi Arabia in 2023 ‘Some will be against me … maybe people will forgive’ Roberto Mancini issued an apology in his first public comments after being reappointed as the Italy head…

Roberto Mancini returns as Italy head coach with Claudio Ranieri named technical director

· The Guardian

Mancini replaces Gattuso for second spell in charge Ranieri takes over from Paolo Maldini in overseeing role Roberto Mancini has agreed to be Italy head coach for a second time, the president of the Italian Football…

Maldini confirms crisis-hit Italy have held talks with Guardiola and Ancelotti

· The Guardian

Italy have failed to qualify for last three World Cups Guardiola is out of work while Ancelotti is still with Brazil The Italian football federation (FIGC) has talked to Pep Guardiola , the former Manchester City coach,…

Financial ‘exceptions’ made for Pep Guardiola to become next Italy head coach

· The Guardian

Italian football federation confirm interest in Guardiola Mancini and Pirlo also linked with national team vacancy Financial “exceptions” are in place to allow Pep Guardiola to become Italy’s next head coach, the…

Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni under investigation for underage prostitution

· The Guardian

Player’s lawyer says his client ‘has never paid for sex’ Part of inquiry into a company’s ‘all-inclusive’ nights The Inter and Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni is under investigation over alleged underage prostitution…

‘One of our own’: Cristian Volpato flourishes after Socceroos switch

· The Guardian

Former junior Italy international feels he can develop more as a player after late inclusion to the World Cup squad ⚽️ When do the Socceroos play Egypt in their next game? ⚽️ Full Socceroos coverage | Player guide…

‘Moral bankrupts’: Pirlo and Materazzi provoke fury by attending ‘Football Day’ in Russia

· The Guardian

Former Italy stars criticised over presence in Moscow Pair defend visit as being for sport and children The presence of the Italian World Cup winners Andrea Pirlo and Marco Materazzi in Russia for a sports event has…

‘I felt fear I did not understand’: Buffon on the panic attack that threatened his career

· The Guardian

In this exclusive book extract, the former Italy goalkeeper describes a moment of crisis before a game against Reggina If I have to identify the most important moment of this crisis, it was just before a…

US says Iran players welcome at 2026 World Cup amid call for Italy to take their place

· The Guardian

No one from US ‘told them they can’t come’, Rubio says Delegation members with ties to IRGC may be barred Iran’s footballers will be welcome at this year’s World Cup, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said Thursday,…

Trump envoy asks Fifa to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup finals

· The Guardian

US special envoy Zampolli hopes for Italy involvement Doubts remain over Iran’s participation at tournament An envoy to Donald Trump has asked Fifa to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial…

Gianluigi Buffon: ‘You have a perception that you are unbeatable, almost omnipotent’

· The Guardian

Italy’s goalkeeping legend on getting used to retirement, the decline of Italian football and why he blames himself for Zidane’s World Cup final red card “I tear the gloves off my hands and my bare knuckles, reddened…

Napoli president says he would allow Antonio Conte to leave for Italy job

· The Guardian

Conte says he should be considered to succeed Gattuso Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri also linked with role Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has said he would not stand in Antonio Conte’s way if the coach…