Rafinha is not eligible to play for the Germany national team despite having successfully applied for German citizenship, football magazine kicker has reported.
Brazil-born Rafinha, 30, made his application after spending nine years in Germany as a player with both Schalke and Bayern Munich.
The defender has won two caps in friendlies for Brazil and had been was set to make his competitive debut for them in October after being called up to the World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela.
But after writing on Twitter that "it's a wonder to be able to return to serve the Brazilian team," he later withdrew from the squad.
Maravilha poder voltar a servir a Seleção Brasileira! Feliz demais com essa convocação. @CBF_Futebol pic.twitter.com/k4UF0YocOn
- Rafinha Official (@R13_official) September 17, 2015
Rafinha had been put forward by Bayern captain Phillip Lahm to take his place at left-back after Lahm's retirement from international football in 2014.
But kicker said he would not be available for selection by national boss Joachim Low.
The football magazine cited FIFA regulations which say a player can only change associations "at the time of his first full or partial appearance in an international match in an Official Competition for his current Association."
The Bayern Munich defender took part in an official FIFA competition in 2005, when he was in Brazil's starting lineup at the Under-20 World Cup.