Sassuolo full-back Simone Cinquegrano has impressed so far this season, but admits he'd have to 'think very carefully' if he received international calls from Italy or Argentina.
Able to play at right-back, wing-back or even in a more advanced attacking role down the right, the 22-year-old has provided two assists in seven games this season between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
A product of the Sassuolo youth academy, he also played on loan at Rimini and last term at the Inter Under-23 side in Serie C, but he's been the player so far with the most top flight minutes in his squad.
REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Simone Cinquegrano of US Sassuolo celebrates winning the match against Juventus during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta' del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
"I would've thought it impossible if someone had told me that before the season began, but I'm so happy that the coach and club are putting their faith in me," Cinquegrano told Sky Sport Italia, via Tuttomercatoweb.
"My objective is to climb up to bigger clubs and keep improving every day. Ignace van der Brempt arrived and I watch him in every training session to learn from his experience.
"I used to play as a centre-forward, but the club had the intelligence to put me at right-back and I provide something extra there."
MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 18: Simone Cinquegrano of Sassuolo in action during the Serie A match between AC Monza and US Sassuolo at U-Power Stadium on September 18, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
As he has only just flourished, this is the first time he has appeared on the radar for the Italy squad, but his family history leaves him a little torn.
"I was born in Modena, but my father is from Buenos Aires. My objective is to wear the Italy shirt. If two calls were to come, from Argentina and Italy, then I'd have to think very carefully. It would be an important decision."
As the surname would suggest, his father may be from Argentina, but has clear roots in Italy too.
