Doubts grow over Romano’s Italy decision after first Serie A goal watched by Mancini

PARMA, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Alessandro Romano of Cagliari Calcio celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)

Alessandro Romano scored a stunning goal on his Serie A debut, giving Cagliari a 1-0 away win over Parma. Roberto Mancini watched from the stands, but it’s still unclear whether Romano will pick Italy over Switzerland, which he has already represented at the U20 level.

U21 Switzerland international Romano scored a fantastic goal on his Serie A debut on Saturday, giving his club Cagliari all three points in an away game at Parma.

Born in Winterthur, Switzerland, on June 17, 2006, the same day as Italy’s 1-1 draw against the USMNT in the World Cup, Romano has Italian parents and has dual Swiss-Italian citizenship.

Will Romano play for Italy or Switzerland?

The central midfielder’s goal against Parma was watched from the stands by new Italy coach Mancini, who was at the Stadio Tardini for the first Serie A game of the 2026-27 season.

It is still unclear, however, whether Mancini will have a chance to coach Romano with the Italy national team.

Romano, in fact, has been representing Switzerland at the youth level, making his U20 debut in October 2025.

As reported by Gazzetta, Romano has recently confirmed that he “held talks” with FIGC representatives, but a decision on the country to represent at a senior level “is not a priority at the moment.”

Romano joined Cagliari from Roma on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy this summer.

He played the second half of the 2025-26 season at Spezia in Serie B. During that time, he recorded one assist in 19 appearances, but the club was relegated to Serie C.

Romano joined Roma in 2022 from Winterthur and made his only two senior appearances with the Giallorossi in January 2026, just days before signing for Spezia.

According to Gazzetta, Cagliari’s option to buy becomes mandatory if certain conditions are met through the 2026-27 campaign. It’s a transfer package worth circa €5m, but it can reach €6.5m with add-ons.

Alessandro Romano’s brother, Luca, 22, is also a footballer playing for SC Kriens in the Swiss second division. Their father, Umberto, was a professional footballer too.