 He took part in 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship, the last named as under-16 event.Due to UEFA U-21 Championship had changed from an even year event to odd year event, new coach Pierluigi Casiraghi called him up as senior member of the squad for 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, eligible to players born 1984 or after.He made his Italy under-21 debut against Croatia in a friendly match on 15 August 2006 at the age of 22.