was called up to the Italy squad in October 2008, making his senior debut for the national team as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 away draw against Bulgaria on 11 October, in a 2010 World Cup qualifier. Rossi scored his first goal for the Italian national team on 6 June 2009, in a friendly against Northern Ireland, at Pisa's Arena Garibaldi. He also scored two goals in a 3–1 win against his country of birth, the United States, in Italy's opening match of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa on 15 June 2009, although Italy subsequently lost their next two matches and suffered a first-round elimination. Rossi was included in Lippi's provisional 28-man 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, which had been announced in May, but failed to make the cut for the final 23-man squad. On 17 November 2010, for his 18th cap for Italy, Rossi was picked by Italian manager Cesare Prandelli to wear the captain's armband for the first time ahead of the team's friendly against Romania. After a two-year absence from the national team due to injury, which saw him miss out on a place at Euro 2012, Rossi appeared in a 2014 World Cup qualifying match on 15 October 2013, as Italy drew 2–2 against Armenia at home. On 13 May 2014, Rossi was named in Italy's provisional 30-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, however on 1 June, it was announced that Rossi had not made the final 23-man World Cup squad. On 24 May 2016, Prandelli's successor as Italy's manager, Antonio Conte, released his 30-man shortlist for UEFA Euro 2016 roster; Rossi was not selected. Style of play A quick and mobile left-footed forward, Rossi is known for his overall attacking and creative style of play, as well as his work-rate, movement off the ball, his powerful and accurate striking ability, and instincts in the box. Regarded as one of the most promising Italian players of his generation in his youth, his playing style has often been compared to that of compatriot Alessandro Del Piero, due to his acceleration, strong technical skills, range of passing, dribbling talents, and his ability to either score goals or pick out a pass and create chances for teammates; he has also been compared to his namesake, 1982 World Cup-winning striker Paolo Rossi, due to his opportunism, pace, agility, and eye for goal. In 2013,