Dinamo Zagreb’s 16-year-old rising star Rafael Belinho officially picks Croatia and turns down Brazil, as reported by Index.hr. The Dinamo Zagreb U19 winger and attacking midfielder has been recognized as a big talent since moving to Croatia in 2021.
His agent, Andy Bara, said two years ago, “They called us from the Brazilian Football Federation, but the boy wants to play for Croatia.” Due to FIFA rules requiring five years of residency, Belinho has not yet been eligible for any Croatian youth teams. However, by 2026, he is expected to feature for the youth teams and then eventually the senior team.
Belinho has been steadily rising through the ranks over the last four years and is highly rated by coaches at Dinamo Zagreb. He is praised for his excellent first touch, dribbling ability, vision, and attacking instincts. Playing primarily on the right flank, he is dangerous when cutting inside, creating scoring opportunities, and delivering precise passes, showing the flair typical of Brazilian players.
Bara, a well-known agent with strong connections in the football world, has spoken highly of Belinho’s potential. Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, recently visited Zagreb to scout Dinamo Zagreb winger Cardoso Varela and had the chance to meet with Belinho in the city. This relationship between Bara and Deco could be one to watch as Belinho continues his development.
Exciting times lie ahead for Croatian football, with the national team potentially welcoming a new star reminiscent of Eduardo da Silva.
Franko Kovačević with a hat trick for NK Celje in Conference League today.
– 3 goals in 1 Conference League match
– 7 goals in 8 Europa/Conference League qualification matches (4 of them being PKs)
– 10 goals in 8 Slovenian Leagues matches (in only 65 minutes per match)
20 goals in 17 games. Not bad.
Slovenian league is not great, but that is an insane goal rate…especially with so few PKs and not even playing full games.
Weird thing is how this guy couldn’t score in any league, and now (as a 26 year-old) he’s suddenly scoring like Lewandowski.
If Olmo had chosen to play for Croatia would any of you be complaining? I would guess no.
I would.
Olmo was the exact same scenario as Eduardo.
Both came as teenagers specifically to advance their football careers, but neither probably should be playing for us.
A part of me wants us to have the best players (and have guys like Olmo and Eduardo on the team) but ultimately you are selling out if you’re poaching foreign talent.
Belinho is a bit more debatable because he’s an actual immigrant to the country, and not someone who came as a foreign football player. But he’s also only been in the country for four years, so I can understand why many consider him a foreigner.
Very underrated win for Dinamo.
Maccabi’s squad is full of young speedy South Americans and Africans, who are constantly pressing non-stop (preventing Dinamo from comfortably advancing the ball from their own half).
After the first 20 minutes of the game (once Dinamo was up 2-1) Dinamo played Maccabi very well, not putting themselves in a position for the opposition to hit them on a counter.
Despite there not being many dangerous chances for either team for about 50 minutes after the initial goals…the game was very fast-paced and entertaining.
Lisica was amazing for the first 20 minutes, but calmed down a lot afterward. Misic was still our best player on the field. Probably deserves a callup.
Scoring a full 6 points from these first two games against Fenerbahce and Maccabi is excellent.
Mario Kovačević is putting himself into discussions as a future National Team coaching candidate if he continues to pull of solid wins in European competitions like this.
Good win for Dinamo. They have lots of potential and are playing pretty well so far. However, they give away so many balls with sloppy passes, including the keeper. Hopefully, the coach can get them fine-tuned for tougher competition later. He said they are only in the beginning phase as a team, and wants them to improve every game. So far I like their attitude, and raw talent. If they can continue to improve, they have a serious chance if going deep in this competition.
Volim te Dinamoooo!
Wow. Mateo Lisica is a speed demon on the right.
Constantly pressing the opposing defenders, very direct offense on the tight side, causing all kids of chaos…and is very physical (especially for a 5’4″ guy).
Roofed a beautiful goal into the top corner (after causing the defenders to lose the ball)…
Then speedily running down the right side, setting up the second goal beautifully.
Prpic starting 3pm EDT vs Red Star
Igor Moro Teo Barisic bench
Jagusic just posed on IG a pic of his GF at 42 in Zagreb eating steak celebrating their 2 year anniversary
FFS
To be honest, I always like the talent and loved when Eduardo played for us. However, after his career was done, he went back to live in Brazil. Was he really Croatian? No. I’d rather win with just us.
I get where you’re coming from.
If we’re ranking the situations, then Belinho has far more of a reason to play for Croatia than Eduardo did.
Eduardo came to Croatia at an older age (16 years old) to specifically play football. When it looked like he could get a callup for us (but not for Brazil) of course he took the opportunity and acquired citizenship to play for us…but he would have always chosen Brazil first.
Belinho (on the other hand) moved to Croatia a lot younger at age 12.
He also moved here with his dad (who came to Cro for work) and they were going to stay in Croatia and become Croatian citizens regardless.
He also already publicly dismissed the idea of playing for Brazil. Sure, maybe it’s a ploy to get into the good graces of the HNS and secure a future spot on the National Team, but these things are never guaranteed.
I was never a fan of Eduardo and Sammir being capped for us, simply because these were career-driven moves. Peak Eduardo was an amazing striker in 2007 for us, but it was very short-lived as he was mediocre after that 2008 ankle break.
I can live with the Belinho situation, simply because it’s not entirely career-driven (as his family have moved to Croatia and the kid has spent much of his childhood here).
I’m still more about having a team filled with Croatian-born players and diaspora Croats.
Players who are partially-raised in Croatia (like Belinho), would go down the pecking order but I wouldn’t rule them out.
…but, foreign players who play in the HNL and acquire citizenship after five years (like Sammir and Eduardo) should not be allowed to play for us.
Comparing Dadu and Sammir in the same breath is wild !
Dadu never played for Brazil unders
Sammir played Brazil u17 and u18
Dadu played for Croatia U21 first for couple of years and then was capped for NT at 20 or 21 – if he really wanted Brazil he could have waited a few years
Sammir was capped at WC in Brazil so Mamic could sell him (no other reason) just like Sharbani brothers/cousins, etc – he was nowhere near good enough for Brazil
Dadu had 10 goals in 12 games in Euro 2008 qualifying (2nd top scorer) – if his ankle wasn’t broken and he played Euro 2008 who knows how far we could have gone
Dadu wife is Croatian. Sammir?
Croatia may not have qualified for euro 2008 without Dadu – would you rather Croatia qualify with Dadu or not qualify without Dadu?
Anonymous is in the former that’s what’s meant by Croatia NT above all else
Plus: if we never had Dadu Croatia wouldn’t have his son in the U15 ranks today
The fact is – the rules are the rules – every country is playing the game – many players too (like Matty Cash playing for Poland, 1 HSV player Comoros, 1 HSV player Libya) – so Croatia NT shouldn’t self impose it’s own set of rules – that puts it at a disadvantage vs other countries (it’s like if a company says I’m not taking that tax break/deduction although it’s legal bc of moral reasons – and want to pay more tax – that would be dumb)
*Sammir was capped at 25 or 26 (vs. Dadu 20 or 21, after playing for U21 first)
lol
You realize Dadu’s son plays for Croatia U15s ?
His Croatian wife decided they live in Brazil (but they’re in Croatia all the time) and she’s posting stuff about Dadu jr and Croatia all the time
It’s a nice headline
But
Until he is cap tied by playing for the senior Croatia NT nothing is certain (and that’s a long way away unless Croatia senior NT immediately caps him as soon as he is eligible so that means at the 2026 World Cup or sooner 😊)
For all we know this could just be playing Croatia card to get the Brazil card – ask yourself is Bara’s asset worth more as a capped Croatia or Brazil NT player?
Having said that, Anonymous would love for Belinho to be part of the Croatia NT if he’s good enough and that’s what he chooses in the end
Anonymous wants the Croatia NT to be successful above all else so whatever player can improve the team Anonymous is all for it
Their is a such a thing of being too tall but perhaps there is such a thing of being too short. 5’4″ ? Really!! Hope he adds solid significant muscle as he may not last long in today’s game. Always exceptions a la Messi. We all talk about the lack of physicality of some of ours players such as Brekalo…. Wish him well and hope he is what we all hope he becomes.
Every other national team does this, why shouldn’t we? He will have spent 5 years already living and playing in Cro by the time he’s eligible to play for any of our NTs. He’s arguably going to be more Croatian than us lol
Personally I think he should play for Brazil. I felt the same with Eduardo as well. No problem with Croatians from the diaspora playing for the national team but I don’t want foreigners whether there from Brazil Ukraine or any other nation.
Why? He’s been in Croatia for nearly five years and he’s only 16. He speaks the language well, he was developed by a Croatian club, his agent is Croatian.
I get your argument if it was some random 26-year old who’s played in the HNL for a few years, but it makes a lot more sense for him to choose Croatia.