Thiago Motta has been cleared by Fifa to make his Italy debut against Germany on Wednesday.
Fifa happy for Inter midfielder to make Azzurri bow
Thiago Motta has been cleared by Fifa to make his Italy debut against Germany on Wednesday.
The Inter Milan midfielder was born in Brazil and turned out for the Samba stars at U23 level.
He has, however, opted to switch his allegiance to Italy and has been handed a call-up by Azzurri coach Cesare Prandelli.
Motta's involvement in a friendly date with Germany was cast into doubt when it was revealed that he required permission from Fifa to play, with there confusion over his eligibility having represented Brazil at youth level.
World football's governing body have given him the green light, though, and Prandelli insists he will have no qualms about using the 28-year-old, even if that decision is not well received throughout Italy.
Attacks
"The permission from Fifa for Thiago being able to play for the national side arrived this morning [Monday]," said Prandelli.
"I find it fantastic that players who aren't born in this country are demanding to put on the Azzurri shirt.
"I call up those who deserve to be selected, and I am rising above the tirades over the multi-ethnic make-up of the national team, because those type of attacks do no good, not only for the image of our sport, but also Italy's."
Motta is not the first nationalised star to be considered by Prandelli, with fellow Brazilian Amauri and Argentine midfielder Cristian Ledesma having figured for the Azzurri of late.
