Raphinha declined the chance to represent Italy.

Raphinha had a visit from the Azzurri, who have recently insisted on signing Brazilians, while he was still playing for Leeds United and being coached by Marcelo Bielsa.

The winger, who was born in Brazil but never pursued a professional career there and who also has Italian citizenship via his father, has always aspired to be as successful as his hero and close family friend Ronaldinho Gaucho, both at the club and international levels. He knew he would wear the “amarelinha” one day, as it ultimately turned out, so he graciously refused the offer.

One of the gaucho’s strongest qualities, perseverance, kept him from following in the footsteps of his countrymen Rafael Toloi, Emerson Palmieri, and Jorginho (whom Barça had previously targeted), who won the most recent European Championship with the transalpine national team.

But the three won’t be in Qatar since the Azzurri lost in the playoffs. One of Tite’s “holy cows,” Raphinha, will start without question for one of the favorites to win the competition.

He was rewarded for having the patience to wait for the appropriate chances by playing for Barça, where he is certain he can succeed, and with Brazil as they quest for the “Hexa.”