The star has not played for Italy since the last European Championship‚ where they crashed out in the round of 16 to Switzerland despite going into the tournament as reigning champions. The 28-year-old was one of Italy's key men when they won Euro 2020 under the management of Roberto Mancini‚ but again rejected his most-recent call-up to the national team. Gattuso said he snubbed the call as he hinted at the player dealing with 'problems' in a press conference ahead of his side's crunch ties against Norway and Moldova‚ which they lost 4-1 and won 2-0 respectively.

Highlights: Moldova 0-2 Italy with Mancini and Esposito headers

‘Gattuso's fundamental Italy mistake ahead of life-or-death World Cup playoff'

Today's Papers - Little Italy‚ Napoli's injury blow

Mancini: ‘Many goals if Italy broke deadlock earlier‚ World Cup at all costs'

Moldova 0-2 Italy: Better late than never in Chisinau

Player ratings: Moldova 0-2 Italy - Substitutes get Gattuso over the line

Gattuso ‘cannot accept' Italy insults and is critical of World Cup system

Italy warning of ‘hidden dangers' in Moldova clash

Gattuso on Italy mistake‚ rejecting other national teams and career opportunity

Liveblog: Moldova vs. Italy‚ 2026 World Cup qualifier

Moldova vs. Italy official line-ups: 2026 World Cup qualifier

Italy aim for goals and confidence boost against Moldova ahead of Norway clash

Arteta dealt huge blow as Riccardo Calafiori ruled out of Italy's clash with Moldova

Moldova vs. Italy probable line-ups: 4-4-2 idea for Gattuso

Cristante: ‘Convincing Italy need to be ready' for World Cup play-offs

Gattuso confirms Italy pair to start in Moldova for 2026 World Cup qualifier

Tonali‚ Donnarumma and a doubt in attack: Probable Italy XI vs. Moldova

Explained: The yellow card rule putting Italy trio at risk ahead of World Cup play-offs

The national team face Moldova and Norway over the next week as they attempt to reach their first World Cup since 2014‚ but will be forced to do it without the Liverpool forward. He has not represented his national side since Euro 2024‚ where they crashed out in the Round of 16. The forward was a key figure for the team in 2020‚ but he has struggled to recapture that form for his national team amid numerous injuries and a stop-start move to Merseyside.

Gattuso's press conference: Every word Italy coach said on Norway‚ Chiesa‚ Tonali and more

Live: Gattuso's first Italy press conference before Moldova and Norway World Cup qualifiers

Official: Gattuso names 27-man Italy squad for Moldova and Norway

Most likely Italy opponents in World Cup playoff revealed

Nwaneri stars as England U21s thrash Moldova 4-0

Arsenal and Chelsea stars shine as England Under-21s thrash Moldova

Clescenco quits as Moldova coach after Norway thrashing

Manchester derby‚ Moldova's misery and Mamdani

What Haaland said to Moldova's goalkeeper after scoring FIVE goals

Erling Haaland's class message to Moldova goalkeeper after scoring five goals in 11-1 win

Man City striker Haaland sends honest message to Moldova keeper after conceding 11 goals

Haaland's comment to Moldova goalkeeper he scored FIVE against sums him up

Odegaard explains Haaland 'dream' after Norway put 11 past Moldova

Thelo Aasgaard owes Erling Haaland as Rangers star reveals offer that sealed Norway hat-trick

Five-goal Erling Haaland 'apologised to me for giving me worst ever day at work': Moldova goalkeeper who shipped ELEVEN goals

Norway's dominant win leaves Italy with one option to avoid World Cup playoff

Haaland scores five as Norway put 11 past Moldova

Are you watching‚ Ruben Amorim? Erling Haaland scores FIVE in Norway's 11-1 thrashing of Moldova - just days before Man City's...

Haaland scores five and Odegaard on target as Norway decimate Moldova

Haaland nets five as Norway hit 11 past helpless Moldova

Erling Haaland scores five as Norway put 11 past Moldova

Norway boosted as Haaland cleared to face Moldova despite busted lip

Mason Melia scores twice as Ireland under-21s win in Moldova

Italy defeat Moldova as troubled Spalletti era comes to an end

Italy beat Moldova as Spalletti bids farewell

Luciano Spalletti bemoans 'bad luck' as his Italy reign ends with 2-0 win over Moldova just 24 hours after manager revealed he had...

Italy 2-0 Moldova: Sacked Spalletti says goodbye with a victory

2026 World Cup Qualifier: Italy vs. Moldova official line-ups

Liveblog: Italy vs. Moldova‚ 2026 World Cup qualifier

Spalletti explains why he announced his own Italy departure before Moldova qualifier

Spalletti chose to announce Italy dismissal before Moldova‚ waived severance pay

World Cup Qualifiers: Italy vs Moldova - probable line-ups‚ where to watch on TV

Italy coach Spalletti says Moldova match will be his last

Spalletti announces he will leave Italy job after Moldova match

Spalletti-Gravina meeting scheduled after Italy-Moldova World Cup qualifier

Moldova vs Norway: live

Ronaldo to Moldova?! Minnows Dacia Buiucani make bold attempt

Hearts crash out of Europe after drawing with Moldovan minnows Petrocub

Hearts crash OUT of Conference League as they're held at home by Moldovan minnows

DONE DEAL: Atletico Madrid offload Mourino and Moldovan

Moldovan's future still unclear as goalkeeper back with Atletico squad

Transfer news and rumours: De Gea to Saudi Arabia‚ Moldovan to Celtic‚ Jebbison to Bournemouth

Horatiu Moldovan to Celtic transfer option remerges as raging Atletico misfit demands Madrid exit after SIX MONTHS

Atletico Madrid delay signing of Juventus star‚ focus currently on finalising deal for Belgian starlet

DONE DEAL: Atletico Madrid sign Rapid Bucharest goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan 'it's science fiction!'

Atletico Madrid confirm first January signing after paying release clause

OFFICIAL: Moldovan signs for Atletico until 2027

Atletico Madrid close to finalising loan deal for defender as preferred destination is revealed

Moldovan undergoing Atletico Madrid medical as Grbic clear to join Sheffield Utd

Horatiu Moldovan Celtic transfer 'offer' revealed as Romanian keeper closes in on Atletico Madrid move

Moldova defender Violeta Mitul dies aged 26 after a tragic accident during mountain hike with her Einherji team-mates

Moldova international Mitul dies aged 26

Moldova‚ ranked 171st‚ stun Poland in comeback win

Haaland strikes twice for Norway as Moldova stun Poland in Euro 2024 qualifiers

Special award for Moldova after Ukraine support

Main round play-offs: Belgium win opener

West Ham midfielder Soucek frustrated with Czech Republic stalemate: But Moldova have quality

Amid unrest in Moldova‚ Nice advises fans not to travel

Fans barred from European soccer game amid Russian plot fear

Sheriff v Partizan without fans due to possible Russian Coup d'Etat!

Fans banned from European match amid Moldovan fears of Russian coup

Young fan escapes clutches of security guards to have touching moment with Cristiano Ronaldo as they share hug before Manchester United star signs his shirt

Manchester United players and staff 'were hit by bout of suspected FOOD POISONING' after their Europa League trip to Moldova with up to 12 affected and some stars forced to miss training over the weekend

Man Utd investigating after 12 players and staff suffer food poisoning after Moldova trip

Ten Hag makes surprise visit to Man Utd U21 match after flight from Moldova

Ten Hag makes surprise visit to Man Utd U21 match after flight from Moldova

CHRIS WHEELER: How Lisandro Martinez went from 'Patrice Evra moment' at Brentford to the makings of a Man United cult hero... Now 5ft 9in‚ £55.3m centre back looks the 'warrior' Ten Hag wanted

Erik ten Hag claims Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring prowess will return once his fitness improves... and praises the striker for his 'connections' during Man United's Europa League triumph in Moldova

Cristiano Ronaldo SNUBS a medic who tried to take a selfie with him at half-time during Man United's Europa League win over Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova... after finally scoring his first goal of the season

Paul Scholes 'not surprised' by glaring absentee from Erik ten Hag's 'best Man Utd XI'

Ronaldo bats off fan wanting selfie at half-time

Sheriff Tiraspol 0-2 Man United: Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first goal of the season from the penalty spot to seal win after Jadon Sancho's opener as Red Devils bounce back from Sociedad defeat

Line-ups out in Moldova!

Who are FC Sheriff? Moldovan champions who are aiming for Man Utd scalp

Erik ten Hag cannot give Moldova fans what they want as Manchester United break new ground

Man United meet the Moldovan MAFIA! Ironclad secrecy surrounds everything FC Sheriff do... this week they welcome Erik ten Hag's side to play in a political black hole dubbed Europe's most lawless place

Ten Hag apologises to Moldovan fans over Ronaldo and Man Utd decision

United's journey into the unknown in Moldova

MATCHDAY: Man United heads to Moldova for Sheriff showdown

Sheriff v Man United LIVE: Reds must hit back as they face Moldovan side for first time