Former Inter Milan boss Gigi Simoni can't believe Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano is still being snubbed by Italy coach Marcello Lippi.

"Antonio is the best Italian player out there," noted Simoni. "I would pick him all of the time. Who, in Italy, is better than him?

"There is evidently something under the surface because Lippi must consider Cassano, after Roberto Baggio, as the best Italian talent.

"I don't know why Lippi won't call him up and it would perhaps be best if we did know because this way Marcello is being heavily criticised."