Mauro: World Cup final shows why Italian football is struggling
Quick summary
Former Italian international Massimo Mauro argues that the World Cup final, in which Italy did not participate, highlights the systemic decline of Italian football.
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Attributed to original sourceMassimo Mauro has explained that a lack of Serie A talent in the 2026 World Cup final is an indicator of where Italian football sits in the global stage, and says that several high-profile clubs need to pull their fingers out in the transfer window if they are to avoid having difficult 2026-27 seasons.
The start of the 2026-27 Serie A season is now exactly one month away. Despite the absence of the Italy national team, it has been a busy summer of World Cup action, but former Juventus midfielder Mauro believes that the tournament in North America did not present Italian football, at club or international level, in the best light.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he argued that the fact there were only two Serie A players in the 2026 World Cup final shows where Italian football stands at the moment, especially compared to previous eras, when the biggest players in the world used to turn up in Serie A.
“Italian football had two players in the final, Lautaro and Nico Paz, who, however, hardly played,” Mauro explained.
“In short, it would have been a disastrous balance had it not been for the Inter man’s decisive goal in the semi-final. It’s not a great showing in light of the absence of our national team. It indicates that the clubs are finding it difficult.”
Mauro: ‘Juventus, Inter and Roma have to make moves soon’ Mauro went on to give a club-by-club analysis, explaining that most of Italy’s biggest clubs are finding it difficult to bring in the players they either want or need.
“Unlike in the past, Inter have adopted more of a wait-and-see approach: The players they need have not been signed between the replacement for Dumfries and the need for another defender. They’re in trouble.”
As for Napoli, Mauro says: “They’re still stuck on the market, but if they stay as they are, they could find new energy and solutions with the new coach. Allegri is very good at that. Napoli seem to be in the right position for a relaunch. And look out for Favasuli, he would be an excellent addition.”
Roma are also yet to make any star signings after seeing deals for Mason Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville slip away.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Crysencio Summerville of West Ham United before the Premier League match between Fulham and West Ham United at Craven Cottage on March 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) “That’s another example of this general feeling of difficulty, and to me it seems that the World Cup hasn’t even had a direct impact,” Mauro said when asked about the state of affairs at the Stadio Olimpico.
“The stars of the tournament aren’t within the reach of the Italian clubs, who are even struggling with the second-string players. Meanwhile, all the coaches would have liked to have had near-complete groups at this stage.
“I’m thinking about Juve, who have also been late on the transfer market. Maybe we will see an increase in the value and importance of the coaches when it comes to bringing teams back to their previous levels.
On Juventus, Mauro continued: “They’re running late. Until he signs somewhere, I don’t see the Vlahovic case being closed. In general, the directors have to roll up their sleeves and deal with the problems facing the club and players, but certainly not working remotely like Ibrahimovic.”
TURIN, ITALY – MAY 24: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 24, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Mauro has mixed feelings about the two players that Milan have brought in so far this summer.
“Gila particularly, but I have some doubts about Ramos,” he explained. “He wasn’t a starter at PSG and the Rossoneri will be hoping to repeat what happened with Giroud, who wasn’t the first choice when he had been in England.
“Once upon a time, the stars of all the top clubs used to come to Italy, and now those who don’t find many opportunities elsewhere are coming in. Then there’s the new coach, Amorim, who has a very attacking philosophy oriented towards playing in an attractive way. That’s a bit of a danger in Italy if you don’t have the right players.”
If there is a club that has impressed Mauro this summer, it is Como.
CREMONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Cesc Fabregas coach of Como 1907 reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Como 1907 at Stadio Giovanni Zini on May 24, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images) “They have an almost scientific approach. They all sit around the table and choose the players that Fabregas needs, seeking rhythm and precise football. The difference is that Como, in addition to chasing these players, are able to actually sign them. Like Liberali, who has excellent technique and could become a great winger under Fabregas.”
The clock is ticking for the remaining clubs to make their moves on the transfer market before the 2026-27 season kicks off, though.
Mauro says: “Juve, Inter and Roma have to make moves soon. Without injuries, Napoli have a great set of staff. And I also see Como doing very well.”
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What happened
In an opinion piece, former Italian international Massimo Mauro uses the spectacle of the World Cup final as a backdrop to critique the current state of Italian football. He points to Italy's failure to qualify for the tournament as evidence of deeper structural problems, from youth development to tactical evolution. Mauro's comments reflect a wider concern among Italian football figures about the country's declining competitiveness on the international stage.
Chance analysis
This editorial captures a recurring narrative in Italian football discourse: the gap between the country's storied tradition and its present decline. Italy's failure to qualify for recent World Cups has fueled soul-searching about youth academies, coaching methods, and the Serie A product. For prediction systems, this kind of piece signals ongoing reputational and competitive headwinds for Italian clubs and the national team in cross-league comparisons.
No immediate match impact, but reinforces a narrative of systemic decline for Italian football (national team and Serie A clubs).
Italian football is in a structural downturn; expect continued underperformance of Italian clubs in European competitions and Italy in international tournaments relative to historical baseline.