Luciano Valente, the young Italian midfielder who made headlines at Feyenoord, was recently excluded from the Dutch national team squad, a decision taken by new manager Ronald Koeman. Despite his high-level performances and reputation as a leader on the pitch, Koeman decided not to include him in the national team, leaving Valente in a position of uncertainty over his international future.
Valente joined Feyenoord from Groningen, where he proved from the start that he was a key player. He played a key role in Robin vanPersie's team, playing both as a low midfielder and a tall attacker in a 4‑3‑3, standing out for his ability to create chances and recorded seven assists. With Giovanni vanBronckhorst, Valente was named captain, taking on the responsibility of leading the team both on and off the pitch. His versatility has allowed him to alternate positions between attacking midfield and left wing, contributing four goals in eight games and making illuminating passes.
The support of the Rotterdam fans was evident: during a match an Italian flag appeared with the image of Valente, dressed as a pizza chef, accompanied by the writing "Pizza Valente". This sympathy is linked to the player's Italian roots: his father Roberto was the owner of a restaurant in Haren, in the province of Groningen, and passed on to his children a love for football and Italian culture. Valente also played an important role in Groningen's transfer, which earned a record €7 million thanks to his contribution.
From an international point of view, Valente has been called up by the Italian national team in the past at youth level. He represented Italy with the U19 and U20 teams, demonstrating a talent that caught the attention of both nations. However, his choice to represent the Netherlands was only confirmed in March, when he was called up to the Under 21s. With eight appearances and four goals, he played a significant role in a European Championship. Despite his presence in the Dutch youth teams, Koeman decided not to include him in the senior national team, leaving the question of his international future open.
Valente's future remains uncertain. With his captaincy at Feyenoord and his ability to lead the team, he could continue to develop as a key player in the Eredivisie. However, Koeman's decision to leave him out of the Dutch national team raises questions about his international path. It remains to be seen whether Valente will be able to represent Italy again or whether he will continue to fight for a place in the Dutch team, but one thing is certain: his career is still developing and the Rotterdam fans continue to support the young talent with enthusiasm.