Giancarlo Abete, the president of the Italian Football Association (FIGC), believes the lack of Italian players on the list of the Ballon d’Or nominees is a worrying sign for the Italian game.
This year’s list is dominated by players from Spain and England, and there are no Italy-born nominees. Abete believes much of this is down to failures in the Champions League by Serie A sides.
“If there is a problem with Italian football, then it’s down to the reality of the international scene,” Abete told La Repubblica.
“No Italian player in the list of 30 should make us reflect. Now there is a week of European action, and we have to do well on the continent.”
Despite the absence of players on the list, Abete believes some Italians should have been in there.
“I believe there could have been some Italians in there. Yes, there are French players in the list, but Italy are qualified for the World Cup, where as France are in the play-offs,” he added.
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