Barcelona star Raphinha reveals he was close to playing for Italy at Euro 2020 due to 'incredible project' but 'lucky' passport issue prevented Brazilian switching allegiances

Raphinha has won 33 caps for Brazil and has scored 11 goals, but he claims that he could have played for Italy at Euro 2020, before a "lucky" passport mix-up saw him refuse the call-up.

Raphinha's father is of Italian descent and in 2020 he had yet to make his Brazil bow. As a result, the coaching staff of Italy's national team attempted to woo him into wearing the famous Azzurri jersey of the Selecao's famous yellow; the Barca star says he was willing to do so, but his passport did not arrive. Italy won the tournament without him, beating England on penalties in the final.

Raphinha told Isabela Pagliari: “I was close to accepting the call-up from the Italian national team. I was supposed to go to the European Championship that they won in 2020. I was practically ready to go. Luckily, the passport didn’t arrive. At that time, the people from the Italian national team were calling me. Jorginho was calling me constantly.

"The Italian coaching staff had an incredible project for me, something that really caught my attention. But at the same time, deep down, I still had a little hope of being able to wear the Brazil jersey. And luckily, my Italian passport didn’t arrive on time! I am thankful every day that I can come back to my nation and be with my compatriots. This is something I could not trade for all the goals in the world!"

Internationally, Brazil are next in action against Ecuador on June 6 in a World Cup qualifier. Italy play Norway in a qualifying match on the same day.