Italy midfielder Vergara says he is “very excited” after making his national-team debut in the 1-1 away draw with France in the UEFA Nations League group stage, but admits he has not yet fully taken in the significance of the occasion.
Vergara had hoped to make his first appearance for Italy when the training camp began and eventually came on to contribute during a competitive match against one of Europe’s leading sides.
“The feelings are very strong, and I’m very excited,” Vergara told the official Italian Football Federation. “But in a way, I feel like I haven’t fully immersed myself in it yet, because I don’t think I’ve truly grasped everything that just happened.”
The midfielder said the reaction from those closest to him had underlined how difficult it was to process the moment so soon after the final whistle.
“Even at home, when friends and family call to ask me how I feel, I give them the same answer as always, because I haven’t fully processed everything that just happened,” he said. “But maybe that’s betterit keeps me from overthinking and getting too stressed.”
Vergara also highlighted Italy’s performance after falling behind at France’s home stadium. He believes the team’s display showed both its competitive strength and its ability to respond under pressure.
“I think this is a very strong Italian national team, especially being able to compete directly with a powerhouse like France,” he said.
“This shows the team’s strong fighting spirit and it’s very entertaining to watch, especially after such an excellent first half. Even after conceding first, we managed to counterattack strongly on France’s home ground. That’s a very positive sign.”
Italy not only recovered quickly after France took the lead but also created an opportunity to complete the comeback late in the match. For Vergara, that response was evidence of the team’s progress.
“Yes, I think it’s a very strong signal,” he said. “After France scored, we not only equalized quickly, but we also had a chance to win the game in the final stages. So yes, it’s definitely a positive and powerful statement.”
