Australian soccer star Cristian Volpato, 23, has found himself in hot water after a series of traffic violations and a positive cocaine test. The Sassuolo forward, who recently represented Australia in the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup, was involved in multiple incidents that have raised serious concerns about his conduct off the field.
According to reports from the BBC and other international media outlets, Volpato’s troubles began on the night of July 23 in Sydney. The young striker was pulled over twice for speeding and subsequently tested positive for cocaine use.
The first incident occurred when Volpato was caught driving between 53 and 58 mph (about 86-94 km/h) in a 37 mph (about 60 km/h) zone. After passing a breathalyzer test, he was allowed to continue driving.
However, the situation took a turn for the worse approximately two hours later. Volpato was again stopped for speeding, this time clocked at 68 mph (about 109 km/h) in the same zone. During this second stop, he tested positive for cocaine, escalating the severity of his offenses.
New South Wales police have issued Volpato a speeding fine and suspended his international driver’s license for six months, according to the BBC. Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation and have collected a second sample through an oral test for further analysis.
Volpato, who previously represented Italy at the youth level, chose to play for Australia in the recent World Cup. He made appearances in three matches during the tournament, helping the Socceroos reach the Round of 32. This incident could potentially impact his future with the national team and his professional career.