Brazilian soccer star Raphinha nearly chose Italy over his home nation, he confesses.
Ever wondered what made Raphinha pick the Brazilian jersey over the Azzurri one? The Barça winger opened up about his decision in a chat with journalist Isabela Pagliari.
Believe it or not, Raphinha was on the verge of joining the Italian national team for Euro 2020! But unfortunately, his Italian passport failed to arrive on time, and that's not all - Jorginho and the Italian squad had been giving him a run for his money!
Here's the lowdown: Raphinha revealed that the Italian crew had been in constant touch with him, with Jorginho making frequent calls to discuss their plans. The Italians had a tempting project in place, one that really caught his attention.
However, Raphinha's heart harbored a flicker of hope - a hope to wear the green and yellow instead. "Deep down, I still held onto a one percent chance to represent my country of birth" he admitted.
Long story short, Raphinia's dream came true, and he's now a vital part of the Seleção. It's safe to say he made the right call, don't you think?
FYI
His decision to play for Brazil was crucial - he could have been part of Italy's squad that won Euro 2020, but fate had other plans! If you're a football fan, you just can't ignore this tantalizing tale. And who knows what the future holds for Raphinha and the Brazilian national team?
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Footnotes:
- Raphinha's Heart Always Belonged to Brazil: ESPN SOCCER
- Raphinha Avoids Missing Euros through Italian Passport Delay: GOAL
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- Despite Italy's persistent attempts to convince Raphinha, his loyalty lay with the green and yellow jersey, the Brazilian national team.
- In a Euro 2020 scenario, Raphinha could have shared the field with Messi in the European leagues, but his heart yearned for the premier-league of Brazilian football.
- The highlighted moment in Raphinha's career was his decision to switch from Italy to Brazil, a choice that echoes in the annals of sports history.
- As a football fan, the saga of Raphinha's national team selection is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his roots in the European-leagues and beyond.
- Agreeing with many, Raphinha's decision to play for his birth country, Brazil, seems like a move destined for greatness, a path illuminated by the persistent hope of wearing the Naija colors on the global stage.
