ANDREAS PEREIRA has rejected the chance to play in Euro 2024 this summer.
The Fulham star, born in Belgium, wants to make sure his future lies with his Brazilian heritage and not his birth country.
Pereira has had one call up to the Brazilian national team making a 20 minute cameo in a 5-0 victory over El Salvador back in 2018.
But he is still eligible to play for Belgium under Fifa rules despite donning the Selecao shirt with his sole cap coming in a friendly match and taking place over three years ago.
And it seems that The Red Devils are keen to convince the 28-year-old to switch allegiance.
Domenico Todesco’s side have been calling the Cottager in an attempt to get him aboard their plane heading to Germany for the Euros this summer.
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Pereira, however, isn’t interested in playing for Belgium and instead wants to keep pushing to achieve his dream of becoming a regular fixture of the Brazilian national team.
Speaking to Brazilian outlet Globo, he said: “They approached me at the beginning of the season and asked if I was willing to be called up by Belgium,
“They spoke to my agent too, and I always made it clear that my dream is Brazil.
“My dream is to play for the Brazilian team, nothing has changed and it won’t change.
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“He told me to think about it, see how it goes, but to put aside a childhood dream just to play for a national team does not feel good.”
The midfielder went on to explain that his heart is with Brazil and his family roots mean playing for Belgium wouldn’t “make sense”.
He said: “I’m Brazilian, my family is Brazilian, and playing for a national team just to say that I played for the national team doesn’t make any sense.”
Pereira did represent Belgium at youth level from U15s to U17s, but later switched to his preferred Brazil where he made eight appearances for the U20s and U23s.
The former Manchester United man has been impressing in the Premier League since he made his move to Craven Cottage in 2022.
He has five assists and one goal in his 26 league appearances this term and has been an integral cog in Marco Silva’s team.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
