Italy national team midfielder Thiago Motta has revealed that he has always felt Italian despite growing up in Brazil and always wanted to wear the Azzurri shirt.
The 31-year-old, who was born in Brazil and made several appearances for the Selecao youth teams in the past, made his debut for the Azzurri in 2011 and he admits that he’s very happy to play in the Italian squad under Cesare Prandelli.
Motta spoke to the press at Casa Azzurri on Wednesday about his love for Italy and his country’s upcoming match with Costa Rica on Friday.
“I feel like an Italian born in Brazil,” said the Paris Saint-Germain man. “And I defend the colours of a great national team.
“I left South America very soon, although I had played with the Selecao a few times up until the Under-23 team. I had never dreamed to wear the green and gold shirt, really.
“It’s obvious that the World Cup in Brazil makes me feel something different, but I never wanted to represent the Brazilian national team as much as I want to represent the Azzurri.
“It was always something I had inside and I have a grandfather from Rovigo, which had allowed me to gain a passport and a choice regarding where I wanted to play.
“Will I return to the Serie A one day? I’m doing well in France, but why not? It may happen in the future, even if not in the near future.
“Will I play in the Costa Rica match on Friday? [Marco] Verratti has done very well so far, but he has had to handle some problems he had in training, such as a fever.
“He’s my friend, we play together at PSG, but we have different characteristics. I think there is a willingness to let him rest for awhile.
“However, Prandelli will make the decision. If I have to play in the next game, then I’ll be just as ready as the others.
“We are a 23-man team, we all want to make it on to the pitch and there are only 11 spots, Marco is good.
“We will play Costa Rica as if it were a final. I’m in this national team for more than two years now and I’m very happy with the style of Prandelli.
“[Daniele] De Rossi says I have more class than he does? Thanks, but he may have exaggerated a bit.
“In the meantime, I’m now only thinking of Costa Rica. Their talent is not a surprise, they have players who can run and they have an excellent organisation.
“Their coach enhances his attackers, he wants vertical runs and speed on offence.
“We’ll need time-outs, as the climate is difficult to play in and we’ll need to protect our health, rhythm and performance, so everyone can see a good game of football.
“Brazil have an advantage? In today’s football, there are no unbeatable teams nor do they intend to suffer any losses, as with the national team.
“Four or five teams are at the highest level, but that doesn’t mean all the others risk less.
“I’m not surprised that the Brazilian team didn’t play very well against Mexico yesterday, but you must go through struggles if you want to make it to the end.
“As for the style of Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, he gives more attention to the results instead of the showing on the pitch.”
