Brazilian winger Raphinha has shared that he was very close to playing for the Italian national team before eventually getting the chance to represent his homeland, Brazil. In a recent interview with journalist Isabela Pagliari, which was published on Monday, the Barcelona star recounted how he nearly joined Italy’s Euro 2020-winning squad.
“I was almost part of the Italian national team,” Raphinha revealed. “I was on the verge of accepting the call-up. I was supposed to join the squad for the Euro they won in 2020. Everything was practically arranged, but fortunately, the passport didn’t come through in time.”
According to the winger, Italy's football officials were heavily invested in recruiting him. He said he was in frequent contact with members of the Italian team, particularly Jorginho, who played a key role in trying to bring him on board.
“The Italian national team representatives were calling me constantly,” he said. “Jorginho, in particular, reached out to me regularly. They had a solid plan for me within their team structure, and it really appealed to me.”
Despite the tempting offer, Raphinha said he still harbored a desire to represent Brazil on the international stage. That hope, even if faint at the time, ultimately became reality—thanks in part to the delay in his Italian passport.
“Even though the opportunity with Italy looked certain, deep down, I held onto a small piece of hope—just one percent—that I could wear the Brazilian jersey. Thankfully, the passport didn’t get processed in time,” he said.
Since then, Raphinha has fulfilled his dream by becoming a regular player for the Brazilian national team. His story highlights how close he came to a very different international career path and how a small twist of fate allowed him to honor his roots and represent the country where he was born.
Raphinha’s journey serves as a reminder of the complex decisions dual-nationality players face—and how sometimes, destiny has its own plans.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0