Raiola: ‘Inexplicable that Bonaventura is not part of Italy squad’

Enzo Raiola expressed his disbelief at Giacomo Bonaventura’s exclusion from the Italy national team for the upcoming European Championship and suggested Mario Balotelli may have deserved a spot.

Luciano Spalletti confirmed his 30-man preliminary Azzurri squad earlier this week, raising eyebrows with a number of exclusions including Bonaventura, Manuel Locatelli, Michele Di Gregorio, Federico Gatti and Matteo Politano.

Italy will play out two friendlies ahead of this summer’s tournament, facing Turkey on June 4th and Bosnia on June 9^th. At the European Championship, the Azzurri will compete in Group B alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania.

Bonaventura snubbed by Italy

Speaking on page 18 of today’s Tuttosport, Raiola reacted to Spalletti’s decision not to call up Bonaventura for his preliminary Italy squad.

“It’s a cold shower for Jack’s year and the results obtained by Fiorentina. He did well on a personal level, he has a great career behind him, he repeated himself with eight goals this season and will soon play in another European final.

“I remain an Italy fan and hope that the Azzurri can win the tournament, but it is inexplicable that Bonaventura is not part of the Italy squad.”

He was asked if he disagrees with the Azzurri coach’s decision.

“I can’t decipher it. In my opinion, Bonaventura’s experience would have been important, like his qualities. I consider the coach to be a high-level person, but I am convinced that the decision not to call him was not entirely the result of his sole will. Maybe I’m wrong, but it’s still my thought.”

Raiola tried to explain what he means.

“I don’t want to go into detail, it remains my idea. But knowing Spalletti’s humanity and the great coach that he is, this non-calling up of Bonaventura seems really strange to me. Then I don’t want to mention other situations and who was called in his place.”

He confirmed that Bonaventura expected to be part of the squad.

“The coach has always spoken well of him, so much so that Jack expected to go to the European Championship. A dream was taken away from him, the boy was hurt.”

The agent commented on his client’s reaction when he discovered the news.

“He was astonished. Then he is such an intelligent and capable boy that he has already played a great match with Fiorentina against Cagliari.

“He proved that he is a champion, eliminating the great disappointment he suffered in those 90 minutes. We are talking about a 100% professional, someone who excels both on and off the pitch.”

Raiola spoke about Juventus’ interest in Bonaventura.

“Yes, this possibility existed. Then we made a pact with Fiorentina to stay at least until the end of the season. We will meet again after the Conference League final, and we will calmly decide the future. I wish him a well-deserved European triumph.”

He discussed Balotelli’s desire to play for Italy again.

“Mario is another, like Bonaventura, who particularly loves the Azzurri shirt. But he expected exclusion. Of course, a striker like him could have been important. But there are also too many unfair criticisms suffered.

“A character has been created that is not what many say, he has his own character and qualities that would be useful for any national team. In fact, in Turkey he continues to score goals.”

Raiola was asked if Balotelli could end his career in Serie A.

“He would be very happy.”

Finally, Raiola spoke about the criticism aimed at Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“He is almost an attraction for social media from this point of view. He gets views and clicks if you write stupid things about him. Results count, let’s hold on to him for Italy, he is among the best in the world.

“He won the title, he is in the League Cup final, he was elected best goalkeeper in Ligue 1. His return to Serie A? Nothing is impossible, but Gigio is very happy at PSG and PSG are very happy with him. No changes are foreseen.”