Arrogant losers – Italian team demanded a bonus before the match against Bosnia
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 04.04.26. | 22:21
Italian football is in an ever-deepening crisis, and controversies surrounding the national team show no signs of stopping
Italy’s shocking failure to reach the 2026 World Cup has been made even more dramatic by reports of a financial dispute just days before the decisive match. According to La Repubblica, the Italian squad allegedly asked for a hefty bonus ahead of their play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica.
The team reportedly requested €300,000 in total, which would have given each player around €10,000 for securing a World Cup spot.
🚨JUST IN: More controversy in Italy after it was exposed that a group of players requested a €300,000 bonus pool if they qualified for the World Cup.
— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) April 4, 2026
The request was made and REJECTED moments before their final match vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Players would have made around… pic.twitter.com/d51hf0z8P3
Ex-coach Gennaro Gattuso immediately rejected the proposal, emphasizing that rewards come from performance, not preemptive demands. Known for his fiery determination as a player, Gattuso was reportedly frustrated by the squad’s apparent lack of focus during such a crucial week.
La Repubblica observed that the outcome “proved Rino right, highlighting the mindset with which some Italian players approached the game that could have returned Italy to the World Cup.” After the penalty shootout heartbreak, senior players tried to convince Gattuso to stay, but he remained firm, announcing he would step down following the national team’s failure to meet expectations.
The aftermath in Zenica has triggered a full-scale shake-up of Italian football leadership. Gattuso’s resignation was quickly followed by the departures of FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and Delegation Chief Gianluigi Buffon, leaving the federation in a state of upheaval. Facing a third consecutive World Cup absence, Italy is now forced into a complete rebuild.
The revelation of the bonus request has only intensified criticism, with observers pointing to a perceived lack of humility in the current squad. Moving forward, the focus must be on reforming both the culture and leadership of the national team to prevent further historic disappointments.