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‘I was supposed to go to the Euro they won in 2020. I was basically set to go. So luckily, since the passport didn’t come through’ Barcelona superstar admits he almost switched national team allegiances

May 7, 2025
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Italy could have had another dimension to their attack at Euro 2020, but they only have a failed passport application to blame.

As it transpires, Robert Mancini’s side didn’t need an extra body, having famously beaten England on penalties at Euro 2020 to claim only their second European Championship title.

But news has emerged that one of Barcelona’s stars this season turned down the chance to represent Gli Azzurri and now boasts 33 caps for another nation.


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The Italian national team made attempts to recruit the now 28-year-old back in 2024, during which time he was still playing in the Premier League for Leeds United.

Since then, his career has taken quite the turn and now looks set to win La Liga this season after scoring a hatful of goals alongside Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski.

Lamine Yamal on the ball for Barcelona against Royal Antwerp in the Champions League in September 2023.

Lamine Yamal has been electric for Barcelona this season (Image credit: Getty Images)

It turns out Raphinha – ranked at no.2 in FourFourTwo’s list of the best left wingers in the world right now – was only days away from changing his allegiances from Brazil to Italy in 2020 and the former Leeds United could have followed in the footsteps of Jorginho, Emerson Palmieri and Rafael Toloi, all of whom have Brazilian heritage themselves and represent Italy.

“I was close to accepting the call-up to the Italy national team. I would have gone to the European Championships that they won in 2020. I was pretty much ready,” the Brazil international said in an interview with Isabela Pagliari.

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“The guys from the Italian national team called me. Jorginho always called me. The Italian staff had this fantastic project for me, something that really impressed me.

“But at the same time, deep down, I still had that one percent hope of wearing the Brazil shirt. And fortunately, my Italian passport didn’t arrive in time.”

Ballon d'Or power rankings: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates victory after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and SL Benfica at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on March 11, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Raphinha has 57 goal contributions for Barcelona in 53 games this season so far (Image credit: Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo’s view, having a player like Raphinha would have taken Italy’s attack to another level, and perhaps their Euro 2020 campaign would have gone more smoothly with the Barcelona man amongst their ranks.

Raphinha has been in electric form for the La Liga giants this season and is evens to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.



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