Liverpool hotshot Fabio Carvalho has quit Portugal's Under-21 via text message - sparking hope that he could opt to complete a sensational U-turn and switch his allegiance back to England.
Carvalho, who has impressed at Anfield since his big summer switch from Fulham, represented the Three Lions at youth level but was called up for Portugal's U21 European Championship qualifiers earlier this year.
Carvalho was born in Portugal but moved to south London in 2013 and was even included in the Selecao's provisional 55-man World Cup squad earlier this month; however, it has now been confirmed that the 20-year-old forward has made it clear that he no longer wishes to be considered for selection, according to a statement from the Portuguese Football Federation.
The statement read: "A footballer has decided to give up representing the Portuguese Under-21 team. Fabio Carvalho informed the Portuguese Football Federation, through some SMS messages, that he does not intend to continue representing Portugal at Under-21 level.
"This decision by the player was communicated after the call-up for friendlies against Czech Republic and Japan was made."
No official reason was given as to why Carvalho has decided to withdraw from international duty. He made four appearances for Portugal's under-21 side and scored two goals.
The Liverpool wonderkid has already clocked up 16 appearances in all competitions for Jurgen Klopp's side this term, bagging goals against Bournemouth and a crucial late winner against Newcastle.
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Carvalho's surprise decision could open the door for a shock return to the England fold following the conclusion of the World Cup, which kicks off in Qatar on Sunday.
England boss Gareth Southgate confirmed that Carvalho was on his radar earlier this year; but as the midfielder did not have an English passport, he was unable to be selected for Under-21 duty - even though he had already featured at various other age levels for the Three Lions.
"With Fabio Carvalho, we like him," Southgate said back in March. "We would like him in our Under-21s but he hasn't got an English passport. He was able to play in our younger age groups without a passport but he's got to pass the tests to be able to get the passport, so we couldn't select him for the 21s. We'd like to have done that. He's in Portugal's Under-21s — not their seniors but there wasn't a lot we could do about that.
"This passport test is what everyone has to go through and if you don't pass it, you don't get it. I don't think I'd pass it by the way! But that's the situation."
