Nicolo Tresoldi's International Dilemma: Germany or Italy?

Nicolo Tresoldi is still chasing goals for Germany’s Under-21s, but the bigger decision is looming.

The Club Brugge forward, capped 24 times at U21 level, has yet to choose whether his senior future lies with Germany or Italy. For now, he is delaying the call that could define his international career.

“This is not a question that needs to be asked of me, but I have spoken to him and he said that he still can't make a decision,” Germany U21 coach Antonio Di Salvo told Kicker. The hesitation is real, the door still open on both sides.

What Di Salvo does have, though, is Tresoldi’s commitment in the here and now.

For the moment, the 22-year-old has decided to keep pulling on the Germany U21 shirt. “And that is a great sign for us,” Di Salvo said, welcoming a choice that at least secures the striker for the current cycle.

The coach framed Tresoldi’s dilemma as a symbol of modern football, not a problem.

“I think the world has changed. 20 or 30 years ago, players didn't have to make these decisions at all,” he reflected. “But the world has become more global, and many players have the opportunity to play for a second or even a third country. If they need time, you have to give them that time.”

Tresoldi’s story explains the tug-of-war.

Born in Cagliari, he is the son of an Italian father and an Argentine mother of Italian descent. At 13, he moved with his family to Germany, joined Hannover 96 and eventually acquired German citizenship. Italy offers birthplace and heritage. Germany offers the country where he grew up, learned the game and broke through.

For now, he belongs to Di Salvo’s group. The real battle, between the Azzurri and the Mannschaft, is still to come.