Fabio Capello blasts Riccardo Calafiori after Arsenal star’s decision led to managerial exit

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Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori isn’t on international duty, but that hasn’t prevented the defender from collecting criticism. 

Calafiori is one of nine Arsenal players not called up for the June international break as he recovers from injury. 

The Italian might be thankful that he’s not on duty, as Italy’s struggles continue, having not won a game since November.

Manager Luciano Spalletti saw his luck run out as Italy lost 3-0 to Martin Odegaard’s Norway in the Nations League, resulting in the coach being relieved from his duties after two years.

• READ MORE: Every Arsenal player called up for June international duty and how to watch them

Fabio Capello fumes at Riccardo Calafiori

Though Calafiori has not been on duty with the Azzurri, that hasn’t stopped the defender from being spoken about during the break.

The same happened to Kai Havertz, who was heavily spoken about by German media as his team missed him in their defeat to France. 

Unfortunately, Calafiori hasn’t received compliments like his teammate did, as Fabio Capello weighed in on the 2024 signing.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport in reaction to Italy’s 3-0 defeat to Norway, Capello called Calafiori and Francesco Acerbi out for not representing their country. 

“I didn’t like the Acerbi situation. Okay, Spalletti surely made a mistake by saying those things in public, but a player cannot refuse a national team call-up,” Capello said of the Inter Milan ace.

“The Inter defender should have gone to prove to the coach that he really needed an ‘old man’ as the coach had recklessly called him. Instead, he said no, and that’s a bad sign.”

Capello was referring to Acerbi’s fallout with Spalletti, which prompted the former England manager to point the finger at Calafiori.

“It means the sense of belonging to the group isn’t very strong. Just like I didn’t understand Calafiori.

“When it comes to the Azzurri, you must play even if you are not 100% fit, it’s a matter of responsibility.”

After not joining the squad due to a knee injury, Capello blasted Calafiori for not going on duty regardless of his fitness, which is rather harsh.

Being as injury-prone as the 23-year-old is, it was wise for Calafiori to miss out on the June fixtures, contrary to Capello’s bizarre belief.

Calafiori’s injuries are a problem 

Injuries have caused Calafiori significant problems over his debut season at Arsenal, and now, they’ve impacted his national team. 

By no fault of his own, the defender’s absences have contributed to Italy’s poor form in 2025, which has subsequently cost Spalletti his job.

Arteta ignored concerns about Calafiori before Arsenal signed the defender, who has lost a lot of playing time to injury over his career. 

The Arsenal boss saw the player’s quality over his fitness issues, but unsurprisingly, Calafiori’s abysmal record followed him to N5. 

The Italian will hope to play more over the 2025/26 campaign for both club and country, but for the Azzurri, he’ll need to impress a new manager.