Robinho Jr. in the Crosshairs of the Brazilian and Italian National Teams

Last Friday (2), the forward Robinho Jr., who is currently on loan from Santos to Genoa in Italy, caught the attention of Branco, the coordinator of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) youth categories, during a friendly against Rapid Bucuresti.

Visit to Europe

On Wednesday (7), Branco took advantage of his time in Europe—where he is on a scouting and talent exchange mission involving Brazilian players—and made a stop at the Centro Sportivo Pio XII. There, he had the chance to speak with the Menino da Vila and made it clear that he does not want to see the player joining the Italian national team—given that Robinho Jr. holds an Italian passport.

Future in Play

Recently, the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) reached out to Robinho Jr. to gauge his interest in representing Italy’s youth national team. He did not rule out the possibility, but emphasized that his priority is the Brazilian national team.

It’s worth noting that Robinho Jr. is on loan until the end of the European season, with a purchase clause in the contract. And take a look: if the forward is called up to the under-20 national team, Santos could profit from a bonus of 500 thousand euros (R$ 2,8 million).

The Brazilian Delegation

In addition to Branco, the CBF also sent to Europe the under-20 national team coach Paulo Victor, and Carlos Eduardo Patetuci, from the under-17 national team. Together, this Brazilian team is exploring not only Italy, but also other countries such as Germany and Spain.

Branco highlighted the importance of these visits for the growth of Brazilian football:

“Football is constantly evolving, and it’s essential that we remain open to new ways of working. These experiences allow us to talk with professionals from other countries, understand different methodologies, and see how clubs organize their processes. It’s an exchange that enriches our references and can bring valuable insights to our work with the youth national teams.”

Preparation for the South American Tournament

Meanwhile, Brazil’s under-20 team is preparing for the South American Championship, which will take place in January 2027. Expectations are high, and everyone is eager to see how Robinho Jr. and his teammates will do!

Stay tuned for more news about the future of Brazilian football!