Thiago in Spain-Brazil Dilemma
The progression of FC Barcelona starlet, Thiago Alcantara do Nascimento (18), is not going unnoticed by those in charge of the national teams of Spain and Brazil. Thiago, who is the elder son of Mazinho, a former world champion with Brazil in the 1994 World Cup, has both Spanish and Brazilian citizenship and is assessing which national team to choose. Thiago also has Italian citizenship as he was born in Bari, Italy, but it is highly unlikely for now that he will play for Italy.
The player knows that once he features with a national team, the gates for the other nation will be closed, so the decision will be of great significance to the youngster’s sporting career.
Thiago, who was born on April 11th and will turn 19 in two months, has already made his debut with the first team of FC Barcelona on the 17th of May 2009, against Mallorca when he replaced Eidur Gudjohnson in the 73th minute. This season he has also had an opportunity in the Copa against Sevilla on 5th of January 2010, which suggests that the player is very much in the future plans of Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who not only admires him for his exquisite art and genius, but also for his courage and boldness on the pitch.
Thiago has already played with the youth teams of Spain, winning the European U-17 Championship, and sporting director, Fernando Hierro, believes that Thiago could in the near future be called up for the La Seleccion senior team which will ensure that the player remains with Spain. A similar case happened with Bojan Krkic, who made his debut with the senior Spain squad under Vicente del Bosque (his first and only time so far), which ensured that Serbia could not count on him in the future. Years ago an identical situation occured with Hispanic-Danish striker Thomas Christiansen, who was called up by then coach Javier Clemente when he was still playing in the reserves and had not yet debuted with the first team of FC Barcelona.
In any event, it will be an important decision in Thiago’s career, and although his father won the world cup with Brazil, the youngster wants to keep both doors open. The first team that calls him up might turn out to be the lucky one.
I think he will choose Brazil, to follow his dad''s footsteps.
That would be a crazy idea. He is Spanish and he should respect it. He has played for Spain on so many occasions now that it is totally natural that he chooses Spain.
It's only natural for him to play for the youth Spanish team from a logistics standpoint. European teams do NOT like letting South American players play for their youth nations because of the distance. This happens all the time — whenever South American nations have youth tournaments — the vast majority of the players are based in South America — from 17 to 20 years of age. The players abroad — like Breno, the former Bayern center back who moved at 18 — hasnt played since he left I think. And why the twins — Fabio and Rafael have not featured for the Brazilian youth team (i think) since they moved to Europe. Of course many European clubs also did not want to let youth guys play for their nations in this past U20 cup (like Toni Kroos)
I think it depends on which team will be more successful when he becomes a starter.
Asenjo
Ramos-Pique-Muniesa-Azpilicueta
Pedro-Cesc-Busquets-Thiago
Iker Munian-Bojan Krkic
I think he should choose Spain?
azpilicueta is a RB, monreal is the LB. and the future spain #1 is de gea if you didnt realize. and where is canaless??
And where is Navas?
Okay fine:
Ramos-Pique-Muniesa-Monreal
Navas-Cesc-Busquets-Thiago
Munian-Bojan
Although, I think I would prefer a 26 year prime Pedro to a 30 year Navas.
And Asenjo is better than de Gea. And if Canales is in the team, then there is no place for Thiago so Thiago will be better off playing for Brazil.
No way, Thiago is anyday a better talent than Canales, its just Canales has already gotten a chance in the first division and luckily for him he started brilliantly, but it dosen't mean hes better than Thiago.
It also will depend on the strength at the given position. Look at Spain's midfield — it's completely stacked now — whereas Brazil's isn't quite at the same level. If Thiago keeps up his development, he probably has a better chance of starting for Brazil first. This is the issue that will trouble the Manchester twins — Fabio and Rafael — who also both hold Portuguese citizenship. Brazil is pretty much set at right back for the next 8 years…and Rafael is the better of the twins right now. I'm very worried, as a Brazilian, that he might end up picking Portugal…whereas Fabio has gotten quite a few injuries since he moved to Man U, so he is behind in his development…but it doesnt really matter since Brazil's Left Back spot is still pretty much open…
Whether he plays for Spain or Brazil, i don't really mind so far as he dons the blaugrana colours, i am ok.
Can Thiago be called up for The Catalan squad?
yes
thiago should and wud choose brazil.
i prefer he chooses spain but im guessing he's gonna choose brazil because of his father
if he thinks about his future, its better to choose spain.
it's tiring to fly back to brazil for the qualifiers
plus he has no chance to attend the rio carnival
choose brazil!