Barcelona star Raphinha reveals he almost declared for Italy

Ballon d'Or contender Raphinha has revealed he almost declared for the Italian national team.

Born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Barcelona's Raphinha was eligible to represent Italy at international level due to his father being of Italian descent.

Raphinha, who is now a full Brazil international, has stated he was previously close to accepting a call-up from Italy.

The 28-year-old told Brazilian journalist Isabela Pagliari:

I was supposed to go to Euros they won in 2020, I was basically set to go. Luckily, the passport didn't come through.

At that point playing for Leeds United in the Premier League, the Italian national team had earmarked Raphinha as a player capable of proving an asset to the Azzurri.

Raphinha said: "At that point, the people from the Italian national team were calling me. Jorginho used to call me all the time. The Italian staff had this amazing project for me, something that really caught my eye.

"But at the same time, deep down, I still had one percent of hope that I could wear the Brazil shirt, and luckily, my Italian passport get ready in time!"

Raphinha received his first Brazil call-up in August 2021 ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Chile, Argentina and Peru and has since gone on to represent his country 33 times including at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.

The silky winger's career has gone to a new level since transferring from Leeds to La Liga giants Barcelona in the summer of 2022.

Raphinha has particularly flourished under the management of German Hansi Flick, who took the reins at Barcelona in May 2024.

The Brazilian has been one of the main protagonists in Flick's attack-minded system, typically lining up on the left wing with the dazzling Lamine Yamal on the opposite right flank.

A 2024/25 campaign laden with goals and assists both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League has made Raphinha one of the frontrunners for the Ballon d'Or as Barcelona eye a historic Treble of trophies.

James Wilson

• Brazil Men's Football Team
• European Football
• La Liga
• • 
  •