Raphinha Denies Asking Ancelotti to Manage His Minutes With Brazil

The Barcelona forward insists he wants to "play every game" for the 'Canarinha' and clarifies that his comments about managing his minutes were only aimed at avoiding new injuries.

Raphinha denies asking Ancelotti to manage his minutes

Brazilian Barcelona forward Raphinha said on Friday that he wants "to play every game and as many minutes as possible" with his national team and denied that he has asked head coach Carlo Ancelotti to manage his appearances for the 'Canarinha'.

The attacker sought to explain, at a press conference in Singapore ahead of tomorrow's friendly between Brazil and Japan, the comments he made during the renewal of his contract with Barcelona on November 5, when he said he had spoken with Ancelotti about managing his minutes with the national team.

"I want to play every game and as many minutes as possible. I also said that, if my body allows it, I will give my best," he stated.

"From the first time I wore the national team shirt, I always made it very clear that I wanted to be here. I never gave up on the national team; I always did everything possible to be present. There were occasions when I couldn't be there, but I always did everything possible, everything within my reach, to be there. For me, it has always been an honor, a privilege, and it always will be; that won't change, regardless of how long I'm here," he said.

Raphinha and his injury history: "I don't want to get injured again"

Raphinha explained that, after three injuries to the back of his right thigh, his intention has been to recover fully. "I've had three injuries and, obviously, I don't want to get injured again. I want to be available not only for the national team but also for Barcelona. What I meant is that if I'm in good physical shape, I will always be available to represent Brazil. But, unfortunately, when you're not fit, you can't play either here or at the club," he explained.

In that sense, he recalled the frustration caused by his injury at the World Cup. "Personally, it was very frustrating. I considered myself an important player and I wasn't at 100%. I had played few games for Barcelona after the injury suffered against France and, at that moment, against Haiti, the wound reopened," he stated.

"Brazil is the best national team in the world and everyone wants to see it win"

The forward also admitted that criticism is part of everything surrounding the Brazilian national team. "It is the best national team in the world, there's no doubt about it, and we carry the weight of an entire nation that wants to see it win and play well. When results don't come, we must take responsibility," he said of the five-time world champions.

Regarding the squad renewal process being carried out by Carlo Ancelotti, he assured that he sees players "with a lot of desire" ahead of the match against Japan, an opponent that already made things difficult for them at the World Cup.

"We are in a restructuring process and I see players with a lot of desire. It's a World Cup match, a very difficult match. We know Japan's quality, but I see Brazil very well trained and prepared for this encounter," he added. EFE