Manuel Locatelli has grow to be the newest Italy participant to interrupt his silence following the Azzurri’s agonising World Cup playoff elimination, posting an emotional and unflinching message on social media that accepted collective duty whereas vowing to by no means cease giving all the pieces for the nationwide staff.
arrives as a wave of public grief continues to scrub over Italian soccer within the days since Wednesday’s penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia in Zenica.
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Leonardo Spinazzola spoke within the quick aftermath of the match, Gianluigi Donnarumma adopted as we speak, and now Locatelli has added his voice, every message reflecting a squad nonetheless struggling to course of the enormity of a 3rd consecutive failure to achieve the World Cup.
Italy had gone into the match with real optimism following the victory over Northern Eire, just for Alessandro Bastoni’s first-half crimson card to essentially alter the complexion of the competition.
A 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, no objectives in further time, and supreme heartbreak within the shootout, a sequence that has left all the nation trying to find solutions.
UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Manuel Locatelli of Italy shouts directions through the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
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Locatelli: ‘We failed, I’m devastated’
“I’m devastated, drained, with tears in my eyes,” Locatelli wrote, earlier than addressing the supporters who had backed the staff all through the marketing campaign.
“We felt the duty in direction of the youngsters, the households, the grandparents and all of the Italians who supported us. We gave all the pieces and I’m happy with this group. We gamers, the supervisor and all of the employees have been united for this dream. We gave each final drop of power, however we weren’t capable of offer you this World Cup.”
He didn’t draw back from the uncomfortable reality.
“We failed, that’s the actuality. And I really feel the complete weight of it.” Regardless of the ache, Locatelli struck a defiant closing notice, mirroring Donnarumma’s name to maneuver ahead. “It’s laborious, extremely laborious, however allow us to get again up collectively. There won’t be a single day after I don’t give all the pieces of myself on the pitch.”
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