10 superstars who could have played for Brazil but didn’t

#9 Rodrigo Moreno (Spain)

Rodrigo's father was a professional footballer in Brazil

Rodrigo Moreno was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to former Brazilian professional footballer Adalberto Machado who played for Flamengo. He moved to Vigo in Spain at a young age where his father started a football school along with 1994 FIFA World Cup winner Mazinho - the father of Thiago and Rafinha Alcantara.

Rodrigo started his football education in Brazil with Flamengo and continued it in Spain with the Celta Vigo academy before joining Real Madrid Castilla. He didn’t play for the Real Madrid senior team but found success with Benfica and his current club Valencia.

Although Rodrigo was eligible to play for Brazil, he represented Spain from the U19 level to the senior team. He notably scored 15 goals in 16 games for the Spain U21 team and won the Under-21 Euro in 2013.

He made his debut for the senior team in October 2014 and assisted two goals coming off the bench. However, his next appearance for Spain came only three years later. The 27-year-old is currently a regular in the Spain squad and has four goals in 15 games for La Furia Roja.