Nicolò Barella has described his international career as “incomplete” after Italy missed out on consecutive World Cup tournaments, despite lifting the European Championship trophy in 2021. The Inter midfielder revealed his determination to compete on football’s biggest stage, having suffered play-off heartbreak in both 2022 and 2026.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Barella explained how successive qualification failures contrast sharply with his triumphant Azzurri debut. “What I want most of all with the Azzurri is to go to the World Cup at least once and compete for it,” he stated. The 28-year-old highlighted the dramatic shift in fortunes since his early international days, noting the difference between winning Euro 2021 and subsequently watching two World Cups from home.
From national despair to club success
Barella channelled his frustration into domestic dominance during the 2025-26 campaign, helping Inter secure both the Scudetto and Coppa Italia. The Nerazzurri mounted a decisive push in April following disappointment on multiple fronts, including elimination from the Champions League and Italy’s defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final.
The midfielder admitted that losing a second consecutive play-off represented his lowest professional moment. However, he credits open communication with teammates for his recovery. “Without keeping everything bottled up anymore, I realised I shouldn’t let what had happened affect me,” he reflected. “I rolled up my sleeves after those months following the lost Champions League final and that World Cup disappointment.”
Mentoring Italy’s next generation
Amid his personal quest for World Cup redemption, Barella has taken on a mentoring role with Inter teammate Francesco Pio Esposito. The young striker, widely tipped as Italy’s future centre-forward, has already demonstrated considerable potential despite his age.
Barella cautioned that emerging talents face intense scrutiny in the current Italian football climate. “Despite his youth, he has proven to be strong and very important for Inter and the national team,” Barella observed. He warned that young players experience extreme reactions to their performances, receiving excessive praise for success and harsh criticism for errors.
The veteran emphasised Esposito’s unique qualities as a striker who “has goals in his blood” and can “find the net out of nowhere.” Barella stressed the importance of protecting such talent during difficult periods for the national team, confirming that senior players actively guide the youngster through high-pressure situations.