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Brazilian winger Raphinha shared that he was close to playing for Italy at the Euro 2020 tournament, only for a passport delay to halt the move. The Barcelona star admitted that he was almost set to link up with the Italian national team, before fate steered him toward a successful international career with Brazil.
WHAT HAPPENED?
While Raphinha was impressing at Leeds United in 2020, he attracted the strong interest from the Italian national team thanks to his Italian heritage. Discussions advanced to the point that he was nearly included in Italy’s Euro 2020 squad. However, a delay in obtaining his Italian passport prevented the switch from becoming reality. Without the required paperwork, Raphinha missed the chance to join Italy for a tournament they would eventually win, beating England in the final. After the missed opportunity, he continued his career and ultimately received a call-up to the Brazilian national team, making his debut in October 2021 during World Cup qualifiers.
WHY IT MATTERED FOR RAPHINHA AND ITALY
Raphinha’s football journey has flourished since that fork in the road. He quickly became a regular for Brazil, featuring in the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América. On the club stage, he has been a key figure in Barcelona’s attack, recently matching Lionel Messi’s record for goal involvements in a single UCL season, with 19 this year. Meanwhile, Italy went on to win Euro 2020, and the story highlights how close the winger was to possibly lifting a European title in different colors.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR RAPHINHA AND BARCELONA
Barcelona are currently battling near the top of La Liga, holding third place with 73 points and just two games left in the campaign. Raphinha, enjoying terrific form, has played a crucial role with 12 goals and 10 assists across all competitions this season. Barcelona will next face a struggling Mallorca in La Liga as they aim to close the gap to second-placed Girona, who are just three points ahead, and secure their Champions League spot for next season. Raphinha’s story serves as a reminder of how quickly football careers can pivot on the smallest of details.
