Scaloni Rejects Italy Call‑up for Matías Soule, Targets Argentina

When Lionel Sebastián Scaloni, head coach of the Argentina national team, stepped up to the podium on October 14, 2025, he made it crystal clear that Matías Ezequiel Soule will not be swapping La Albiceleste for the Italy national team. The press conference, held at the Argentine Football Association headquarters in Buenos Aires, left no room for speculation: "I don't think it's possible, he's been on our radar for quite a while," Scaloni said, a sentence that instantly became the headline of sports wires across the globe.

Background: Soule's Rise and Dual Nationality

Born on March 15, 2003 in Río Colorado, Río Negro Province, the 22‑year‑old Argentine‑Italian winger made his professional debut with Boca Juniors before sealing a €6.5 million move to AS Roma in July 2023. Since the second half of the 2024‑25 Serie A season, Soule has logged 22 appearances, netting seven goals and adding four assists – numbers that have turned heads in both Italy and Argentina.

His dual citizenship, derived from Italian grandparents, means FIFA eligibility rules would allow him to don the Azzurri jersey should he choose. That possibility first gained traction when his agent, Martin Guastadisegno, hinted on October 7 that Soule might consider an Italy call‑up if the Argentine staff kept him on the sidelines.

Scaloni's Statement and Its Immediate Context

During the same press conference, Scaloni was fielding questions about the upcoming friendly against Puerto Rico on October 15. The match, scheduled at the Estadio Pedro Marrero in Havana, Cuba, formed part of an international window that also included a game against Venezuela on October 12.

When asked whether Soule could be a late addition, Scaloni replied, "He's been on our radar, like many other young players we believe can contribute. He's been training with us, as have Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Buonanotte, and Luca Carboni." He then elaborated that the Argentine staff has monitored Soule since early 2024 when the winger was still featuring for Roma’s Primavera side.

Comparisons with Other Emerging Argentine Talents

Scaloni’s reference to Garnacho, Buonanotte, and Carboni is more than casual name‑dropping. All three have earned senior caps this year, but each sits at a different juncture in their development:

• Alejandro Garnacho – 20, wingers for Chelsea, has scored three goals in 15 Premier League outings, praised for flair but criticized for inconsistency.
• Facundo Buonanotte – 20, Brighton midfielder, provides creative spark with 2 assists in 12 league games, yet struggles for a regular starting spot.
• Luca Carboni – 21, left‑back at Cagliari, limited to eight Serie A appearances, still learning the tactical demands of top‑flight Italian football.

Against that backdrop, Soule’s 7‑goal haul for Roma stands out, suggesting a faster trajectory. Still, Scaloni emphasized that the pathway to a senior cap is merit‑based, not merely statistical.

Implications for Italy and Argentina

For Italy, the denial is a setback. The Azzurri have been hunting for a dynamic right winger to complement Lorenzo Pellegrini and Federico Chiesa, especially with the 2026 World Cup looming. Soule’s pace, dribbling, and eye‑for‑goal would have addressed that void. Yet, the Italian FA’s scouting network will now have to look elsewhere – perhaps at home‑grown talent like Niccolò Fiorillo or a foreign‑born player with Italian roots.

Argentina, meanwhile, retains a promising option on its bench. The next chance for Soule to earn a senior shirt will likely arrive in the November 2025 window, when La Albiceleste faces Peru (Nov 14) and Colombia (Nov 19) in World Cup qualifiers.

Looking Ahead: Potential Call‑Ups and World Cup Qualifiers

If Soule continues his form at Roma – aiming for double‑digit goals by season’s end – the Argentine staff could reward him with a debut in Havana or perhaps even in a high‑stakes qualifier. Scaloni hinted that the radar is active: "We will call them up as and when we see that they have the potential." In practical terms, that means a strong showing in the second half of the Serie A campaign could fast‑track Soule’s senior debut.

Moreover, the upcoming qualifiers are crucial for Argentina’s seeding in the 2026 World Cup draw. A fresh attacking option could give the team an edge against South American rivals. Whether Soule gets that chance now or later, the decision to keep him in the Argentine fold sends a message to dual‑nationals: loyalty and performance trump nationality debates.

Historical Precedents of Dual‑Nationality Switches

The story echoes past cases:

1. Paulo Dybala – chose Argentina over a potential Poland call‑up in 2015, citing personal affinity.
2. Franco Mazurek – switched from Argentina to Greece in 2019 after a prolonged exclusion from the senior squad.

Both examples underscore how national team decisions can shape a player’s career trajectory. Soule’s case adds a fresh chapter to that narrative, especially as the global game becomes ever more fluid with dual citizens.