Adriano Di Vittorio, a representative of Fiorentina’s Rômulo, has explained why his client was not selected for Italy’s 2014 FIFA World Cup squad.
The 27 year-old, who was born in Brazil, was expected to be selected in Head Coach Cesare Prandelli’s 23-man squad, but surprisingly pulled out.
Di Vittorio, speaking on behalf of the Pelotas-native, has noted that Rômulo had an injury which prevented him from playing at his best and praised the midfielder for admitting to Prandelli that he was not fit enough to be included.
“The tests with the other 30 players provisionally called up seemed to bode well, just as the pleasing and cordial welcome that he was given,” Di Vittorio told Calciomercato.com.
“Rômulo immediately felt like part of the family. He has an open, jovial and convivial personality as well as great inner strength that stand him out as a man and a player.
“A few hours before the final list of 23 was announced, he spoke to Coach Cesare Prandelli because unfortunately he was unable to definitively resolve the inflammation of the adductors in his thigh. Aware that Prandelli was ready to put him in the squad going to Brazil, Rômulo proved once again what a great man he is by telling the Coach it wasn’t fair to be included when not 100 per cent fit.
“He put honesty and fairness above his own personal interests to help the Nazionale and his teammates.”
