Barcelona star Raphinha has lifted the lid on how Arsenal midfielder Jorginho persistently urged him to join the Italian national team, just as the Brazilian winger was weighing up one of the biggest decisions of his career.
Speaking in a revealing chat with journalist Isabela Pagliari, Raphinha admitted he came tantalisingly close to pledging his international future to Italy in 2021, with Euro 2020—eventually won by the Azzurri—firmly in his sights. “I was close to accepting the call-up to the Italy national team,” he confessed. “I would have gone to the European Championships that they won in 2020. I was pretty much ready.”
The revelation casts fresh light on a dramatic period for the former Leeds United ace, who, at the time, was one of the Premier League’s hottest properties. With Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City all circling in the summer of 2022, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners appeared to have an edge thanks to Jorginho’s behind-the-scenes lobbying. Ultimately, though, Raphinha followed his heart and sealed a dream move to Barcelona.
While his early days at the Camp Nou were something of a mixed bag, the Brazilian has flourished spectacularly under Hansi Flick. After notching 10 goals in each of his first two seasons, Raphinha has exploded this term, racking up a sensational 31 goals and 25 assists across all competitions. His form has been pivotal in Barca’s treble bid, with the Catalan giants squaring off against Inter Milan in a knife-edge Champions League semi-final, having already bagged the Copa del Rey.
On the international front, Raphinha has become a fixture for Brazil, linking up with the likes of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. But as he reflects on his near-miss with Italy, the story adds another twist to a career that’s been anything but predictable.
“I owe a lot to Jorginho,” Raphinha added. “He was always calling me, pushing me to make the jump. In the end, things worked out differently, but it’s a moment I won’t forget.”
One wonders how different both Arsenal and Italy’s trajectories might have been had Raphinha taken that call.
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