Caprile, former Napoli, obtains Albanian citizenship, opens national team

On a quiet afternoon in a Cagliari home, Elia Caprile, goalkeeper of Cagliari and former Napoli player, received the Albanian passport. The document is the result of his marriage to a citizen of Albania, a Balkan country where his wife is originally from. With dual citizenship, the 27‑year‑old opens new prospects for his international career.

Caprile has no Albanian roots; the citizenship was granted solely through marriage. Obtaining the passport has not affected his status as an Italian citizen, but it gives him the possibility to represent another federation.

Possible international choices

The new document opens the door to the Albanian national team, which could consider the goalkeeper’s inclusion. However, the move depends on FIFA regulations governing federation changes after a call‑up.

Caprile has already been called up to the Italy squad, but he has never set foot on the pitch in an official match. This lack of official appearances is a key factor in determining whether a federation switch is permitted.

For Albania, adding a goalkeeper who plays in Serie A would be a significant boost, especially given the shortage of high‑level options. The interest of the Albanian federation is therefore worth monitoring.

Caprile’s case fits into a broader context of dual‑citizen players considering national team switches. Future decisions will be influenced both by the player’s wishes and by the interpretations of football authorities.

In summary, Elia Caprile’s Italian‑Albanian dual citizenship turns a personal matter into a potentially significant scenario for two national teams, with possible repercussions on the international landscape.