Ancelotti Confirms Brazil Lineup Against Australia
Carlo Ancelotti confirmed his starting lineup to face Australia ahead of time and included Raphinha, just as Barcelona continues to closely monitor every minute he plays during this demanding international tour.
For Carlo Ancelotti, there is no such thing as a friendly when it comes to Brazil.
The Italian coach made that clear ahead of the Seleção's first match since the 2026 FIFA World Cup and, in the process, ended any mystery surrounding his starting lineup.
Brazil will take the field Friday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium with Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Marquinhos, Vitor Reis and Douglas Santos; Danilo Santos and Bruno Guimarães; Raphinha, Estêvão, Endrick and Vinicius Junior.
There will be two debuts from the opening whistle.
Matheuzinho and Vitor Reis will make their first appearances for the senior national team as Ancelotti begins searching for new pieces with an eye toward the 2028 Copa América and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
"It's not that we're starting a new project. We're continuing the work that has been done and trying to improve," the coach explained.
Raphinha Will Start as Ancelotti Praises His Form
Among so many young players, one of the main spotlights will be on a player enjoying the best moment of his career.
Raphinha will start.
The Barcelona forward arrived at the national team camp after an extraordinary start to the season, recording 14 goals and three assists in his first eight official matches.
His performances as a false nine under Hansi Flick have not gone unnoticed by Ancelotti, either.
"Raphinha is doing something spectacular in a position that wasn't originally his, but it looks like it is now as well," the Brazilian national team coach said.
The situation contrasts with the current form of Vinicius Junior, although Ancelotti also made it clear that he retains complete confidence in the Real Madrid star.
Both will start against Australia, alongside Estêvão and Endrick in a lineup loaded with attacking talent.
Barcelona Will Closely Monitor Every Minute Raphinha Plays
His place in the starting lineup, however, probably will not be greeted with too much enthusiasm in Barcelona.
Not because the club does not want to see Raphinha represent his country, but because of what happened during his recent international appearances.
In March, the Brazilian suffered a muscle injury during Brazil's friendly against France in Boston that sidelined him for approximately five weeks at a crucial stage of Barcelona's season.
Months later, he suffered another physical setback during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when an injury to the back of his right thigh ultimately affected his participation in the tournament.
Now his body faces another demanding test.
The official schedule includes two matches against Australia, this Friday in Townsville and again on September 29 in Brisbane, before a trip to Kolkata to face India on October 3.
Three matches, three cities and thousands of miles of travel before returning to Spain.
Barcelona itself confirmed that Raphinha is one of 17 first-team players who left the club during this lengthy international break.
Brazil Begins Looking Toward 2030
For Ancelotti, these matches will serve a purpose far more important than simply getting results.
The Italian wants to find the next generation.
In addition to the confirmed debuts of Matheuzinho and Vitor Reis, another eight players could make their first appearances for the senior national team during this tour.
Brazil will also face an Australia side that reached the knockout stage of the most recent World Cup and one that, as Ancelotti pointed out, is compact, defensively strong and dangerous on the counterattack.
It will be the ninth meeting between the two national teams. Brazil leads the all-time series with six wins, one draw and one defeat, and won 4-0 the last time they met, in 2017.
This time, however, the result will not be the only thing under observation.
Ancelotti is beginning to build the Brazil team he wants to take toward 2030, while thousands of miles away, Barcelona will have its eyes fixed especially on one player.
Raphinha is enjoying the best moment of his career.
And that is precisely why the Catalan club wants him to return in the same condition in which he left.
- Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Raphinha, Vinicius Junior, Estêvão and Endrick will start against Australia.
- Matheuzinho and Vitor Reis will make their senior national team debuts in Brazil's first match since the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Barcelona will closely monitor Raphinha's workload as he faces three matches during a lengthy tour of Australia and India following his recent injury history with the national team.
