10 footballers who changed their nationality and played international football

#4 Pepe (Brazil to Portugal)

Pepe became a naturalized Portuguese citizen like Deco after being born a Brazilian. At the age of 18, Pepe moved to Portugal to sign with CS Maritimo.

Even before Pepe opted to play for Portugal, he was never called up to represent Brazil in any youth category. However, according to his father, Pepe was contacted by coach Dunga in 2006 about a future call-up, which the player declined as he had already made up his mind up about joining Portugal’s senior side once he became eligible.

He became a naturalized citizen in August 2007 and on the 30th of the same month he was named in the Portuguese squad for the first time. An injury in training delayed his debut by four more months and his debut eventually came against Finland on 21 November.

Pepe eventually won an international trophy as Portugal lifted the Euro 2016 title where he was the man of the match in the final as Portugal beat France 1-0 in extra time.