Di Canio believes Tresoldi has already chosen Germany after Inter hat-trick

A spectacular night at San Siro, and questions about his international future

Nicolò Tresoldi’s hat-trick in Club Brugge’s 4-3 Champions League victory over Inter put the 22-year-old at the centre of a debate over which country he will represent at senior level.

The Germany youth international became only the second player to score a Champions League hat-trick against Inter, matching a feat previously achieved by Gareth Bale. Tresoldi described the occasion as “unbelievable, indescribable,” saying he had dreamed of such a night and was especially pleased that his family and friends were in the stands.

Tresoldi says he will wait until after the Under-21 Euros

Born in Italy and raised in Germany, Tresoldi has represented Germany at youth level. He says he has spoken with both countries’ coaches but has not yet made a senior international decision, which he intends to leave until after next summer’s Under-21 European Championship.

“I always speak Italian at home; I was born in Italy too. We’ll see,” Tresoldi told Sky Sport Italia. “I am enjoying myself with the Germany Under-21 side, we have a European Championship to play, it’s a trophy my Dad won with Italy, so it’s a target for me. Then we’ll see what happens.”

After the interview, Sky Sport Italia journalist Marco Bucciantini said he thought Tresoldi had already settled on Germany. Former striker Paolo Di Canio agreed, interpreting the forward’s ambition to win the Under-21 Euros with Germany as a sign of his preference.

“When you hear him say that he wants to win the U21 Euros with Germany … he has already chosen,” Di Canio said. “This is not the right time [to say it], but it’s clear he’s already chosen.”

Those comments were pundits’ readings of Tresoldi’s remarks, rather than confirmation from the player. Tresoldi has publicly maintained that he will decide after the tournament.