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It seems like forever since the last time we saw Giuseppe Rossi gracing a soccer pitch. The American-born Italian International has been plagued with injuries throughout the last few years of his career.

Rossi started his career off very promisingly at Manchester United only to be loaned out for two consecutive seasons and then sold by the Red Devils to Spanish club Villarreal in 2007 for an undisclosed fee. La Liga is where Rossi began to really make a name for himself, putting in consistent inspirational performances one after another.

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Rossi finally secured his dream of being called up to the Italian National side in 2008, but missed out on the World Cup in 2010 due to his lack of fitness. Rossi has scored six goals in 27 appearances for Italy, yet a World Cup appearance still eludes his grasp.

Following his World Cup disappointment, in 2011, Rossi really began to get into stride scoring 32 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish club. After that season, it was all down hill when he suffered consecutive ACL injuries. In January Rossi was sold to Italian side Fiorentina for €10 million by his Villarreal, it looks as if Rossi has again regained form. Rossi already has five goals in eight appearances for the Florence-based club.

Fiorentina must be ecstatic with the way Rossi has been playing so far this season, considering the departure of Stevan Jovetic to Manchester City and the injury of German superstar Mario Gomez. Rossi may be the only hope for Champions League qualification as well as a legitimate chance to challenge for the Serie A title.

If Rossi can continue to show the form he is currently in, it will be hard for Italian National team coach Cesare Prandelli to keep the diminutive forward out of his World Cup plans next summer in Brazil.

Tyronne Pruitt is a Soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TPruitt_454846, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.