International Career
Motta made his debut for Brazil in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Although he played with the U-23 team, it was a full international competition, hence the international cap gained was fully recognized by FIFA; he went on to appear in another two games in the tournament, and previously represented the nation at the 1999 South American Under-17 Football Championship.
Motta missed the 2004 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament due to injuries, but appeared for the U23 team in November 2003 against Santos FC. Subsequently, reported claims that he wanted to be called up for Italy and possibly to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as he possessed dual nationality – both grandparents from his mother and father's side being Italian. FIFA granted players to have one chance to change their representing nation if they had dual nationality, but not for players who have already played in a competitive "A" match (non-friendly).
On 6 February 2011 Motta received his first call-up from Italy, for a friendly against Germany, but an official statement from the Italian Football Federation declared it subject to FIFA clearance, which was granted two days later; he was replaced in the 63rd minute of the 1–1 draw by Alberto Aquilani.
On 25 March 2011, in only his second international, a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier in Slovenia, Motta scored the game's only goal, following a 73rd-minute combination with Federico Balzaretti. He was selected to the finals in Poland and Ukraine, starting in three group stage matches for the Azzurri and adding two substitute appearances, against Germany in the semifinals (2–1 win) and Spain in the final: in the decisive match, after having again replaced Riccardo Montolivo, in the 55th minute, he suffered an hamstring injury after only five minutes and had to be himself carried off, leaving his team with ten players – he was the third player brought in by manager Cesare Prandelli – in an eventual 0–4 loss.
Read more about this topic: Thiago Motta
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