Raphinha nearly played for Italy—but fate kept him Brazilian

He’s played in a World Cup and a Copa América. But things could’ve gone very differently.

FC Barcelona winger Raphinha has already featured in two major tournaments for Brazil—the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Copa América. He’s also played in several qualifiers and friendlies. But few know that he was once very close to playing for Italy instead.

Yep, Raphinha almost wore the blue of Italy instead of Brazil’s famous yellow kit.

How did this almost happen?

Back in 2020, when Raphinha left Rennes for Leeds United, he wasn’t exactly a household name. Around the same time, Italy were preparing to play the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

Italy’s football federation saw his potential. Because Raphinha’s father—Rafael Dias Belloli—has Italian roots, Raphinha was eligible to represent Italy internationally.

Reports say the Italian FA tried to bring him in. If things had gone differently, he could’ve joined other Brazil-born Italy players like Jorginho, Rafael Tolói, and Emerson Palmieri—and possibly played in the Euros with them.

But unlike those players, Raphinha had never lived in Italy. And in the end, the process to get his Italian passport took too long. The opportunity slipped away.

“It almost happened,” Raphinha says

In a recent interview, Raphinha revealed just how close he was to switching allegiances.

“I was almost ready to play for Italy. If the timing had worked out, I might’ve been part of their Euro-winning team,” he said.

“The Italy staff contacted me many times. Even Jorginho called often. He had a great plan for me. It was really motivating.”

But he added:

“Deep down, I still had hope—maybe just 1%—that I could wear the Brazil jersey. And luckily, my Italian passport didn’t come in time.”

A sliding doors moment—but no regrets

Whether Raphinha would’ve helped Italy win the Euros is a big what-if. But what’s certain is—he has no regrets.

Italy won the Euros without him. And Raphinha got to fulfill a lifelong dream—playing for Brazil, his country of birth.

Now, he’s aiming for bigger things with the Seleção.