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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Barcelona ace has starred for Brazil</li><li>Could have played at Euro 2020</li><li>Italy won the tournament</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

<p>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.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>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, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/england-brutally-mocked-euro-2020-final-defeat-italy-gianluigi-donnarumma-penalty-heroics-psg-champions-league-liverpool/blt33fd2e7d3851a3a5" target="_blank">beating England on penalties in the final</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Raphinha told <a href="https://youtu.be/vQmtwikST6k" target="_blank">Isabela Pagliari</a>: “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. </p><p>"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!"</p>

WHAT RAPHINHA SAID

<p>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.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

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 | Goal.com

Raphinha has revealed that he could have played for Italy at Euro 2020, but that a twist of fate prevented him from accepting their call-up. 

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