Genoa’s new loan signing Robinho Jr is eligible to represent Italy because his mother, Vivian Guglielmetti, holds Italian citizenship.
The 18-year-old joined the Serie A club from Santos on deadline day, with Genoa planning initially to place him in their Primavera side before giving him the opportunity to train with and potentially join the senior squad.
Robinho Jr is the son of former Milan and Manchester City forward Robinho. The versatile attacking winger was born in Santos, Brazil, on 17 December 2027 and is due to turn 19 in the next few months.
According to reports in Italy, Robinho Jr will begin his time at Genoa with the club’s Primavera team, which is coached by former Genoa defender Domenico Criscito. However, the club’s longer-term intention is to integrate him into the first team and allow him to work under manager Daniele De Rossi.
His eligibility for Italy’s national team is linked to his mother’s Italian citizenship, according to Repubblica. That means the Brazilian-born player could technically be selected by the Azzurri in the future, although there is currently no indication that he is close to receiving a call-up.
Gazzetta reports that Italy coach Roberto Mancini has not yet scouted the teenager or considered him for the national team’s upcoming squad selections. Mancini is nevertheless known for monitoring a wide range of players who are eligible to represent Italy.
The possibility of Robinho Jr playing for Italy adds an international dimension to his move to Genoa, although his immediate focus will be on adapting to Italian football and developing with the club’s youth team.
Italy have previously benefited from looking beyond players born in the country. In 2023, Mancini handed a debut to Argentine-born striker Mateo Retegui after the forward became eligible to play for the Azzurri.
Retegui, now 27, has since scored 11 goals in 28 appearances for Italy’s senior side. His progress is an example of how players born outside Italy can become part of the national team when they meet the eligibility requirements.
For now, Robinho Jr remains at the start of his professional career. His loan from Santos gives him the opportunity to establish himself in Europe, while Genoa’s stated ambition to involve him with the first team could accelerate his development under De Rossi.
His family connection to Italy means an international decision may eventually become part of his career, but he has not yet been assessed by Mancini and is not being considered for the immediate Italy squad.
