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

#5 Thiago Alcantara (Spain)

Thiago was eligible to play for Italy, Spain and Brazil

Thiago is the only player in this list who was not born in Brazil but he was eligible to play for Brazil nevertheless. He is the son of former Brazilian international Mazinho who won the 1994 FIFA World Cup with Brazil.

Thiago was born in Italy when his father was playing for Fiorentina which made him eligible to play for Italy also. He was eligible to represent Brazil through his father but he chose to play for Spain as he grew up in the country playing for Barcelona’s academy and later the senior team.

He represented Spain at the U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 level before making his debut for the senior team in 2011. He won the U17 Euro with Spain in 2008 and the U21 Euro with Spain in 2011 and 2013.

The Bayern Munich midfielder has 31 caps for Spain is now a crucial member of the squad following the retirement of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso.

Although Thiago played for Spain, his younger brother, Rafinha, who also came through the Barcelona academy and still plays for the club, chose to represent Brazil at the international level.