Amauri

Italy v Brazil for Amauri
Thursday 26 June, 2008

Juventus new recruit Amauri is closing in on an Italian passport, but his agent has revealed the predatory marksman may yet get the call from Brazil.

Amauri is a Brazilian citizen, but after playing in Italy for seven years he is set to receive an Italian passport.

As he is yet to play for his birth country, the former Palermo man would be eligible to play for the Azzurri as long as he isn’t called up for Brazil first.

“It would be a real honour for Amauri to wear the Italy shirt one day,” representative Mariano Grimaldi stressed on Radio Kiss Kiss.

“Amauri is very tied to our country and the fact that his name is being linked with the Azzurri is a source of great pride.

“I can however tell you with sincerity that the Brazilian Football Federation are moving to try and get him to play for the Selecao.”

It seems that Amauri will be forced to make his decision shortly with his passport application nearing completion.

“As far as the procedure for getting an Italian passport is concerned, it’s practically done but we just have to wait for the confirmation from the authorities,” Grimaldi confirmed.

Many experts see Amauri as a valuable component for Marcello Lippi’s new Italy regime.

* chan4