FC Brazil

Brazilian and Italian press have discussed for months the issue of which national team Juventus striker Amauri will choose to play for. Meanwhile, and without the same amount of attention, another Brazilian talent has made up his mind without much trouble. Manchester United midfielder Rodrigo Possebon was called to Italy U-20 national team and said yes.

“I am very happy to be called up and to have chosen to defend Italy, a country that has recognized my work. There is no come back. From the moment I got the Italian citizenship I knew this could happen. I see it as a way to return what Italy has given me: the possibility to play in Europe and to defend Manchester United. I will do my best to secure a place in the U-20 team and to have a chance in the senior national team later on,” says Rodrigo.

Possebon is born in Sapucaia do Sul, state of Rio Grande do Sul (same as Ronaldinho), and began his career at SC Internacional, where he played alongside AC Milan star Alexandre Pato. Rodrigo was spotted by the same scout who recommended the twins Rafael and Fábio da Silva to Manchester United. The midfielder moved to England without having played a single professional match in Brazil. He was granted the Italian citizenship through his father’s family and avoided the need for a working permit in UK.

Rodrigo Possebon has played only seven official matches for the Red Devils but his talent has been praised by Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo. Manchester United’s official website calls him “elegant and composed in possession but full of energy, an archetypal box-to-box midfielder.” The player has already got a song from Man United fans.

Brazilian players have a long history of contribution to the Italian national team. The forward Anfilóquio Marques, known as Filó in Brazil and as Guarisi in Italy, was the first Brazilian to win a World Cup in 1934 as part of the Italian squad. In the 50’s striker Dino da Costa was a member of the team who failed to qualify for the 1958 World Cup. A winner in Sweden 1958 with Brazil, striker Mazzola moved to Italy and defended the Azzurri in the World Championship four years later in Chile. In indoor football the Brazilian influence is even stronger. In the 2008 Futsal World Cup all 14 players of the Italian squad were born in Brazil.

In the 80’s and 90’s Brazilian-born footballers defending other national teams were considered players who had no chance of making it to the Seleção. This is still a common view. But names such as Deco in Portugal, Marcos Senna in Spain and Eduardo in Croatia have shown they could have been valuable assets to the Brazilian team. Brazilian fans now can only hope this will not be the case of Rodrigo Possebon. Neither of Amauri, if he chooses to follow the same way.

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