Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi says he's experiencing the most difficult period of his career for club and country.

The former Manchester United and Parma starlet shot into the senior Azzurri squad last season, but has struggled to maintain that level.

“This is the toughest moment of my career, but I must get myself out of it with grit and character,” he said.

“That goes for both myself and Villarreal, although on a personal level I have made some steps forward.”

Rossi already fears his World Cup chances with Italy are over.

He added: “I don’t know if my time with the Nazionale is already over, but for players there are these periods of high praise followed by very tough criticism.

“I am not worried about losing the World Cup spot. In my line of vision the Nazionale means only the next game with Sweden.”