US: I think he's retired from the national team out of his own free will, but I agree. Prandelli's main objective should be to convince Di Natale to play. I would start with him and Miccoli if it was up to me, seeing as Cassano probably won't make it back. Miccoli really deserves another shot at the national team. He's a genius player on his day. He's also a tragic example of what happens when you go against the powers in Italy. Ever since he testified against Juventus in that Calciopoli scandal he's been dead to the Italian FA.
It's funny how Italian players - strikers in particular - seem to get better with age, by the way. Toni was almost 30 when he really broke through. Di Natale is 34. Cassano 29. Miccoli 32. Del Piero abd Inzaghi have had some of the best years of their respective careers on the wrong side of 30.
Caligula wrote:
Di Natale should move to Barca if he wants attention. Who cares about Udinese?
The man has integrity. I respect that a lot. It's rare today. And I'm not talking about the kind of integrity that Ryan Giggs has. He's been playing for the most successful club in the world for twenty years. That's an easy decision if you're just good enough to last that long. Di Natale, on the other hand, is an incredible gifted footballer who deserves to be up there among the best of them but he's chosen to follow his heart instead. It's pretty unique in this day and age.
