What Liverpool star has decided for his career has caught one team-mate by surprise

Fabio Carvalho’s decision to stop representing Portugal under-21s has surprised one of his team-mates.

The Portugal FA announced on Tuesday that the Liverpool attacking midfielder has opted to be omitted from their squad for upcoming games against Czech Republic and Japan.

Carvalho, who has scored two goals in 16 appearances since joining the Reds from Fulham in the summer transfer window, is eligible to represent both Portugal and England.

He was born in Portugal but was capped by the Three Lions from under-15s to under-18s. He’s since made four outings for Portugal under-21s.

But Carvalho, who is claimed to have sent SMS messages to tell Portugal of his decision, has decided he won’t play them again - which took Benfica’s Henrqiue Araujo aback.

Via Maisfutebol, Araujo said: “It was a little surprising for us. In these kinds of things, what's important is for the player in question to feel good. And if Fabio felt that the best thing for him would be not to be here, or not to continue with us in the under-21 team, I think it is a very personal decision.

“We have to accept, respect and, whoever comes, take advantage of the opportunity. Because when a player leaves, another comes in and it is an opportunity for another player.”