Lorenzo Insigne has revealed his lofty ambitions of making Italy’s World Cup squad in 2026, and the latest Serie A news suggests a return to his homeland could help springboard his late-career renaissance.
Lorenzo Insigne Leaves Toronto After Three Years
Former Napoli loyalist Lorenzo Insigne announced that he will be leaving Toronto FC this month, after three years in the MLS.
The 34-year-old becomes a free agent, with the Canadian club unwilling to renew his lucrative contract, whilst the player himself has publicly flirted with the idea of returning to Italy.
Having joined the club before the World Cup in 2022 as the league’s highest-earning player, Insigne has gone on to score just 15 goals in 66 games, along with 15 assists.
Not the kind of return he, nor Toronto, were hoping for when he arrived as a major coup for the club.
Nevertheless, Insigne has failed to give up hope on returning to elite-level soccer, whether it be at club level, or with the Azzurri, for whom he hasn’t played a game since 2022.
Anonymous betting sites are moving with caution as to whether Italy will actually qualify for World Cup 2026, with Norway currently topping Group I in European qualification.
Insigne Reveals World Cup 2026 Ambitions
“I hope to return to play as soon as possible. The goal is the 2026 World Cup,” Insigne said, via transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio.
“The World Cup is one of my goals, it’s been a long time since I’ve worn the national team jersey, and I hope to wear it again soon. For now, though, I need to focus on my next new adventure.”
For now, those hopes and dreams appears a long way from reality given there has been little in the way of interest.
Insigne’s decision to see out his contract this season may well have blown up in his face. Toronto had been willing to buy out the entirety of his contract before the campaign began, in order to facilitate a move to Sivasspor in Turkey.
Real Valladolid also offered him an alternative way out, whilst Venezia — who will play in Serie B next season — are also believed to have tabled an offer in the winter.
Insigne will not only have to move with haste to find a new club before the World Cup, but he will also have to prove to new Italy manager Genaro Gattuso that he can still be effective in a more youthful, forward-thinking Azzurri team.
Latest Serie A News Suggests Insigne Could Return to Italy
All three of the aforementioned pre-season proposals look to have disappeared without further contact, with Insigne enduring a mediocre season at Toronto.
However, interest hasn’t entirely faded for the Serie A legend, and several teams in Italy’s top-flight have shown tentative interest.
Alfredo Pedulla revealed that Udinese — who have a new forward in their crosshairs — may hold the most concrete interest as they also weigh up a move for USMNT star Josh Sargent.
However, FootItalia understands new Parma manager Carlos Cuesta is eager to add experience to his squad, as they aim for consecutive seasons in Serie A for the first time since 2021.
The departure of Ange-Yoan Bonny to Inter Milan has only made that desire for a new forward more pressing, and free agent Insigne could present a risk-free opportunity to add both goals and Serie A know-how.
