Amauri: no decision yet

[Jager]

I think he'll take the guys that can help the team, regardless of their position or what they play. Not that I agree with this, but that is how she roles.

[sinoy1]

Amauri is a very good player technically.He's very good on his feet and has solid vision.He'd be an added bonus to the team if Don decides to call him.

[D-Kin]

Amauri: I choose the Azzurri! Monday 9 June, 2008

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Brazilian striker Amauri has finally made his decision to wear the Azzurri shirt at international level.

The ex-Palermo forward is applying for an Italian passport, which is he eligible for as his wife has been living in the peninsula for many years, but admits it was a choice borne of frustration.

“I don’t know if now that I play for Juventus it will change something for Carlos Dunga,” he said of the Selecao boss.

“It is a shame, as I think I did well and deserved his consideration. I cannot wait for bureaucracy to run its course.”

Roberto Donadoni has been courting Amauri ever since becoming aware of the passport situation and it seems as if the union will be complete for the start of 2010 World Cup qualifying.

“It is true, I gave my priority to the Selecao before, but I am also proud to represent Italy. Donadoni said wonderful things about me, whereas I never heard from Dunga.

“Brazil remain a dream, while Italy are a fantastic reality and I would have loved to play in Euro 2008. I think if my passport had come through a month ago, the Coach would’ve called me.”

The Brazilian would not be the only ‘Oriundi’ in the squad, as Mauro Camoranesi also chose Italian citizenship ahead of his native Argentina.

“I hope to play the World Cup in South Africa. Luca Toni and myself wouldn’t make a bad pairing, eh?”

Amauri’s career is taking off after his move to Juventus and with the Nazionale in his future.

“Am I cheering on Italy in the European Championship? Of course! I hope Alessandro Del Piero or Toni can win the top scorer title, too.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

Well, another option up front I suppose. If he's scoring regularly in Serie A then I don't see why he shouldn't be given a chance.

[Forza_Roma]

If he gets his passport plays well for Juve...then he's no different then Camoranesi. But, will Brazil do anything to ensure he doesn't play for Italy? I hope Brazil give him the respect he deserves and don't call him for any matches. As Amauri stated, Donadoni has said great things about him as Brazil has not. I'm starting to come around on Amauri now...he's showing the passion that's required for the Azzurri.

Toni - Amauri up front would be great. Or Amauri as a sub to Toni.

[azzurri]

It's different than Camo, because Amauri has no Italian ancestry. Camo's grandparents are Italian.

Amauri, Balotelli, etc should not be picked for Italy. I dont want Italy to turn into the French, Germans, Dutch, Belgians, etc.

[D-Kin]

I agree with azzurri.

BUT....

If everyone else is doing it, why should we be the ones to miss out?

If the opportunity is there then take it I say.

[D-Kin]

Oh except with Balotelli I don't have a problem...

He grew up in Italy, he learnt to play football on Italian streets, with Italian kids and he's been trained by Italian coaches using Italian methods. Balotelli the player is Italian as far as I'm concerned.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by azzurri

It's different than Camo, because Amauri has no Italian ancestry. Camo's grandparents are Italian.

Amauri, Balotelli, etc should not be picked for Italy. I dont want Italy to turn into the French, Germans, Dutch, Belgians, etc.

Balotelli IS Italian or soon will be according to law. One could argue that he is more Italian than Mauro Camoranesi.

He was born in Italy. Raised by Italians. Went to school in Italy. Taught football in Italy and soon will be official Italian as soon as he get his papers under Italian law.

Amauri is a mercenary and is just looking for a spot in International football.

[D-Kin]

Lets be fair to Amauri, he's not quite as bad as you make him out to be.

At the end of the day he's just being realistic. He wants to play international football, who wouldn't? But if he has no chance of playing for Brazil can you really blame him for wanting to play for Italy if he has the opportunity?

[azzurri]

Originally Posted by Jager

Balotelli IS Italian or soon will be according to law. One could argue that he is more Italian than Mauro Camoranesi.

He was born in Italy. Raised by Italians. Went to school in Italy. Taught football in Italy and soon will be official Italian as soon as he get his papers under Italian law.

Amauri is a mercenary and is just looking for a spot in International football.

Camo has Italian ancestry, Balotelli does not. Language, cultural norm's, etc, are trivial things since any1 exposed to them for long enough can learn them.

If I grew up in Japan, that makes me Japanese? Because I have would have no Japanese features, and my genetic makeup would be Italian, ex: I wouldn't burn in the sun.

Citizenship and nationality are separate things, and for the NT they should stay separate.

Originally Posted by D-Kin

I agree with azzurri.

BUT....

If everyone else is doing it, why should we be the ones to miss out?

If the opportunity is there then take it I say.

These countries allow it because they do not have better alternatives. Thats not a problem with Italy.

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by azzurri

Camo has Italian ancestry, Balotelli does not. Language, cultural norm's, etc, are trivial things since any1 exposed to them for long enough can learn them.

If I grew up in Japan, that makes me Japanese? Because I have would have no Japanese features, and my genetic makeup would be Italian, ex: I wouldn't burn in the sun.

Citizenship and nationality are separate things, and for the NT they should stay separate.

So let say, for example, that Balotelli never came to Italy and he grew up in Ghana (or where ever he's from) possibly starving and with no access to proper training facitities or even a football?

Do you think he would have turned out to be the monster of an athlete with the incredible physical presence and ability on the ball that he currently is?

Somehow I doubt it. Italy made him what he is, and I know you know this. It's one thing to say he has no Italian blood but when someone has basically grown up and lived their entire life in a country then I don't think you can argue with that.

Originally Posted by azzurri

These countries allow it because they do not have better alternatives. Thats not a problem with Italy.

Well we'll see. If he end up being called up etc then obviously we do need him.

[azzurri]

Originally Posted by D-Kin

So let say, for example, that Balotelli never came to Italy and he grew up in Ghana (or where ever he's from) possibly starving and with no access to proper training facitities or even a football?

Do you think he would have turned out to be the monster of an athlete with the incredible physical presence and ability on the ball that he currently is?

Somehow I doubt it. Italy made him what he is, and I know you know this. It's one thing to say he has no Italian blood but when someone has basically grown up and lived their entire life in a country then I don't think you can argue with that.

I'm not arguing against his right to citizenship, or the fact Italy made him the player he is.

Culturally he is Italian, but in terms of race, he is Ghanaian. I dont want our NT being overtaken by foreign influence.

[Jager]

Azzurri, your basing your arguement on race, not culture. To me that is wrong.

He is Italian in every sense of the word. He speak only Italian, he wants to make it official, by becoming an Italian citizen.

He has never played for another country, he also considers his Italian foster parents Italian.

Furthermore, he has taken on their name.

To me, there is no question that he should play. And to grip this dream that only Italians, or those with ancestry can play for Italy is just a dream. Italia needs new blood badly, and as the resident italians are not having children like they once did.

The comparison with other European nations is also foolish. If they pass all our rules, and they commit to the country, I see and have no issues. Especially if they are born in the country, and have all the things that I stated.

[D-Kin]

Italy v Brazil for Amauri Thursday 26 June, 2008

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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.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Now, they are considering Amauri when it's a possibility that they will lose him??

I think Amauri needs to determine which country will best suit his needs. I think we all believe Italy has the best opportunity for him and have always praised him.

But, if his he