Italian football icon Gianni Rivera has openly expressed his opposition to the decision to bring Roberto Mancini back to manage the Italian national team. He has described the choice as questionable, raising questions about Mancini's return to the Azzurri bench.

"The world of football, from Blatter to Infantino, has always had money as its master. As long as money rules, football will not change. Players today are companies and they only team up with others on the pitch.

"I have never done publicity for anyone, despite the fact that there have been many proposals over the years. They don't want me, because both yesterday and today, my ideas have long worried the government."