Serie A
De Laurentiis: “32-year-olds, not even 28-year-olds, shouldn’t play in the national teams”
Aurelio de Laurentiis supports the model of a national team made up of young footballers and emphasizes that footballers over 28 should not be drafted.
On the occasion of Neymar’s serious injury in Brazil’s game against Uruguay, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus, Napoli President Aurelio de Laurentiis referred to the age limit for international players.
The Italian businessman suggested that national teams should consist of young footballers and that national coaches should not draft players over the age of 28.
“From 2013 to today, I think we have received 4.3 million euros in compensation for our players’ participation in national team games, even though more than 10 players were called up. This is not good. In my opinion, the 32-year-old should not play in the national team, nor should the 28-year-old.
And maybe they’re not really Italian. Today we have very strong footballers at 18, but if they don’t play, how will they become champions?
I don’t want U21s or U19s, who have little visibility and are therefore less exploited, I want a single national team with all young players who are 22 years old or less.
The club has to decide whether to accept the call, for example to be able to say “no” to a friendly match. If I pay a player 50 million and he comes back injured, he has to reimburse the club for the duration of his absence. Now think about Neymar.
Source: sport 24
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