Dortmund forward Samuele Inacio opts for Italy, leaving Brazil without a dual‑national star
Carlo Ancelotti has been working with the Brazilian Football Confederation’s youth set‑ups to shape the next generation of the Brazil national team, but his upcoming FIFA international window will see the squad miss a promising Dortmund forward. The Italian‑born striker Samuele Inacio, who has featured for Borussia Dortmund, has elected to represent Italy, meaning Brazil lose a dual‑national option.
Samuele Inacio’s decision and club record
Inacio, son of former player Inácio Piá, was approached by Brazil for the World Cup but was placed on Roberto Mancini’s list for the forthcoming Nations League ties, a move that locks him into Italy under FIFA rules. He told Rivista Undici, “I considered all options, but I chose Italy because I feel more Italian. My biggest dream is to win a World Cup with Italy.”
The 18‑year‑old has already logged seven Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund, scoring once, and this season he has added three matches and two goals in the German Cup. He remains eligible to debut for Italy during the FIFA window that includes fixtures against Belgium, Turkey (twice) and France.
Other dual‑national prospects in Europe
Maycon Cardozo, a 17‑year‑old Bayern Munich midfielder born in São Paulo, is also torn between Brazil and Portugal. He progressed through Bayern’s youth system after moving to Thailand as a child, and while still unable to sign a professional contract, he receives a scholarship from the club. Cardozo has yet to decide which senior side to commit to.
Renato Marin, a goalkeeper on loan from Paris Saint‑Germain to Nacional in Portugal, was born in São Paulo and has previously played for Palmeiras and São Paulo FC. Unlike Inacio, Marin has not featured for a senior national team, but he too faces a choice between Italy and Brazil as his career advances.
Both Inacio and Cardozo illustrate the growing dilemma for Brazil as European clubs develop players with dual nationality. Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the FIFA window includes eleven players from the domestic league, eight of whom are newcomers, yet it will be without these emerging talents.
The situation underscores the broader challenge for the Brazilian federation: retaining top prospects who are nurtured abroad while competing with European nations for their allegiance.