Alex Firmino, the agent of Fiorentina midfielder Rômulo, has confirmed that his client was not fit enough to feature in Italy’s FIFA World Cup squad.
The 27 year-old, who was born in Brazil but has chosen to represent the Azzurri at international level, had been expected to be included in Head Coach Cesare Prandelli’s 23-man squad, but Firmino insists injury cost him his place.
"I’m sorry for the lad," he told TuttoMercatoWeb, as reported by Football Italia. "He had some physical discomfort and that would have been a problem at the World Cup.
"Rômulo told the truth. He’s only 70 per cent fit. He’s an honest guy.
"We’re grateful however to Prandelli, who has shown great faith in him. Obviously we’re disappointed, but we believe that all this hard work will pay off in the end.
"Now we turn the page and see whether he’ll stay at [Hellas] Verona or return to [parent club] Fiorentina."
