Graham Arnold called Cristian Volpato THREE times in final bid to convince him to play for Australia

Graham Arnold has revealed that he spoke to Cristian Volpato three times before announcing his World Cup squad, including a desperate last-minute attempt to convince the teenager to join the Socceroos.

His efforts ultimately proved futile as the 18-year-old turned down the chance to play for Australia at the World Cup in Qatar this month.

Volpato was not included in the 26-man roster Arnold named on Tuesday, but he would have been included if the Socceroos boss had his way.

Graham Arnold revealed that he met with Cristian Volpato three times on Tuesday to convince him to join Socceroos’ 26-man World Cup squad.

“I pretty much told him yesterday that he was in the 26-man squad,” he said Fox Sports.

“He wanted to leave and think about it.

“He wanted to talk to the people around him who helped him steer his career.

“And he came back last night and turned down the offer to play for Australia in the World Cup. That is ultimately his decision.’

The 18-year-old has represented Italy at Under-19 level but has yet to declare himself a high-level country and the Socceroos had hoped to steal a march on the Azzurri

When asked how long he had been trying to convince the Roma prodigy to represent Australia, Arnold replied: ‘See you probably until 11pm last night.

‘It’s not my decision. I spoke to Cristian three times yesterday. Before that I had spoken to him countless times.’

Born in Sydney to Italian parents, Volpato has dual citizenship and has already represented the Azzurri at Under-19 level.

With Italy failing to qualify for the World Cup, the Socceroos hoped to steal a march on the reigning European champions by selecting him in their roster for Qatar.

Volpato was previously under the roof of two A-League academies but was released

He has found a home with Roma and has won the trust of Jose Mourinho

Players eligible to represent more than one country can change allegiances as long as they do so before being called up by a senior national team.

And despite the setback, Arnold suggested the 18-year-old could still play for the Socceroos in the future.

“Cristian is a great boy,” he said. “It is an extremely difficult decision for the child and he has people around him who have given him advice.

“He wants to make this big decision when there are two countries he can play for, Australia and Italy.

He came off the bench to score a late goal when Roma defeated Verona 3-1 last week (above)

“He made that decision and refused our chance to play for Australia in the World Cup. It doesn’t mean he won’t in the future.”

A budding talent, the 18-year-old was released by Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, after growing up in the neighboring suburb of Camperdown.

The loss to the A-League teams was Roma’s gain as the Aussie earned a trial period at Roma’s academy after being spotted by the club’s scouts.

The Serie A giants tied him to a three-year spell and Volpato made his senior debut under Jose Mourinho last season, before impressing in the current season.

Arnold insisted Volpato could still represent Australia in the future if Italy doesn’t call

He came off the bench to score and assist in Giallorossi’s 3-1 win in Verona last week and made Roma’s match roster in 15 of their 19 appearances in all competitions so far.

“He is a player with first-team quality,” Mourinho said last week of Volpato, whose agent is former Roma legend Francesco Totti. “He’s young, he still has a lot to learn every day, but he’s already at the required level.”

Despite being snubbed by Volpato, Arnold remained in an optimistic mood ahead of the World Cup.

“I prefer to look at the young boys we have and the young Australian boys who have come into this camp, and look forward to the future,” he added.