Argentina international left out of recent call-ups by Lionel Scaloni considering switch to Italy

With Lionel Scaloni focused on refreshing Argentina’s squad, several long-time players—including Lionel Messi—could soon make way for emerging talents. Among those called up during this transition was Pablo Maffeo, a right-back for Mallorca, born in Spain to an Italian father, Alfonso Maffeo, and an Argentine mother, Marisa Becerra.

Maffeo was included in Argentina’s squad for matches against Uruguay and Brazil in 2023 but has not been called up since. Now, he’s weighing his options for his international career.

After declining the chance to represent Spain—where he played at the youth level—Maffeo told La Zona 10 that he would prefer to play for Italy, his father’s homeland. “I’d wait for Argentina to call me. That was the first team that showed interest in me,” Maffeo said. “But if that doesn’t happen, I’d choose Italy over Spain”.

Although Maffeo once represented Spain at the youth level, his preference for Italy is not about rejecting his birth country—it’s about honoring his father’s roots. While he has yet to receive a formal invitation from Italian national team coach Luciano Spalletti, Maffeo has not ruled out the possibility of playing for the Azzurri.

Pablo Maffeo drives the ball against Alexis Mac Allister during a training session of Argentina national team at Lionel Messi Training Camp. (Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images)

Maffeo’s loyalty to Argentina

Despite his options, Maffeo has made it clear that Argentina remains his top priority. The Mallorca defender hopes for another call-up from Scaloni, as he enjoyed his time with the squad.

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“I had a great experience there. They treated me really well. If I ever had to choose, it would be Argentina. I wouldn’t play for Spain—I’ve already said that,” Maffeo told Cadena Cope.

He also suggested that his clashes with Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid may have hurt his chances of playing for Spain. “Because of my issues with Vinícius and Real Madrid… obviously, that affects things. I don’t know if they would have called me, but with Spain, I wouldn’t go,” he added.

Maffeo also criticized Spain’s selection choices, pointing out that his Mallorca teammate Antonio Raíllo deserved a call-up but was overlooked in favor of Dean Huijsen.

“I don’t know if they would’ve picked me, but just look at Raíllo… He deserved a call-up, and instead, they picked some guy I don’t even know (Dean Huijsen). If it were up to me, I’d take Raíllo, no question,” Maffeo stated.

Maffeo’s desire to leave Mallorca

Maffeo also revealed in the same interview that he wanted to leave Mallorca during the winter transfer window. While his move didn’t materialize, the club assured him he could seek a transfer this summer. “I wanted to leave because I wasn’t feeling good here personally,” said the 27-year-old, who remains under contract with Mallorca until mid-2027.