Atalanta captain Rafael Toloi was called up by Italy coach Roberto Mancini on Friday for their upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers, after switching his international allegiance from Brazil.
The 30-year-old defender previously played for Brazil’s youth team but never for the senior side and gained Italian citizenship last month.
Mancini named a 38-man squad for the games later this month against Northern Ireland, Bulgaria and Lithuania.
Four-time world champions Italy are bidding to put the disappointment of their shock failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup behind them.
Mancini did not spring any other surprises, with striker Moise Kean, who is enjoying a fruitful campaign on loan at Paris Saint-Germain from Everton, keeping his place.
