Italy might have had one other dimension to their assault at Euro 2020, however they solely have a failed passport utility responsible.
Because it transpires, Robert Mancini’s facet did not want an additional physique, having famously crushed England on penalties at Euro 2020 to say solely their second European Championship title.
However information has emerged that one in all Barcelona’s stars this season turned down the possibility to signify Gli Azzurri and now boasts 33 caps for one more nation.
Barcelona star might have performed for Italy at Euro 2020
Hansi Flick has loved success since being appointed by Barcelona
The Italian nationwide staff made makes an attempt to recruit the now 28-year-old again in 2024, throughout which era he was nonetheless taking part in within the Premier League for Leeds United.
Since then, his profession has taken fairly the flip and now appears to be like set to win La Liga this season after scoring a hatful of objectives alongside Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski .
Lamine Yamal has been electrical for Barcelona this season (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
It seems Raphinha – ranked at no.2 in FourFourTwo’s checklist of the most effective left wingers on this planet proper now – was solely days away from altering his allegiances from Brazil to Italy in 2020 and the previous Leeds United might have adopted within the footsteps of Jorginho, Emerson Palmieri and Rafael Toloi, all of whom have Brazilian heritage themselves and signify Italy.
“I used to be near accepting the call-up to the Italy nationwide staff. I’d have gone to the European Championships that they gained in 2020. I used to be just about prepared,” the Brazil worldwide stated in an interview with Isabela Pagliari .
“The blokes from the Italian nationwide staff known as me. Jorginho at all times known as me. The Italian workers had this incredible venture for me, one thing that basically impressed me.
“However on the identical time, deep down, I nonetheless had that one % hope of sporting the Brazil shirt. And fortuitously, my Italian passport didn’t arrive in time.”
Raphinha has 57 aim contributions for Barcelona in 53 video games this season to this point (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
In FourFourTwo ‘s view, having a participant like Raphinha would have taken Italy’s assault to a different stage, and maybe their Euro 2020 marketing campaign would have gone extra easily with the Barcelona man amongst their ranks.
Raphinha has been in electrical kind for the La Liga giants this season and is evens to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or .
