The agent of Leeds United attacker Raphinha admits he was approached by Italy last year.
Raphinha struck twice for Brazil in their World Cup qualifying victory over Uruguay today.
His agent Deco told Globo Esporte: "Last year there was the possibility of playing with the Italian national team, there was a strong poll by the FIGC, and I gave him my advice.
"You know what I think, you have to make sensible decisions. I told him that he could have had chances with the Brazilian national team, because he has different characteristics from the other attacking players.
"I know Brazil (Deco was born and raised in the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil) and I know Raphinha: there was a pandemic and therefore people could not travel much, moreover Leeds is not the best known club in the Premier League."