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Ancelotti Will Go From Suffering Raphinha to Enjoying His Best Version With Brazil While Waiting on Neymar’s Future
Raphinha was a nightmare for Ancelotti all season long, but now the Italian coach will count on him as a key figure for Brazil, while waiting to see if Neymar will be permanently sidelined.
Ancelotti to Rely on Raphinha as One of Brazil’s Main Weapons
Carlo Ancelotti is set to swap roles with Raphinha — from rival to ally — as he takes over the Brazilian national team after May 25. Having endured the Barcelona winger’s dominance in four defeats this season with Real Madrid, the Italian coach now plans to unleash the player’s Ballon d’Or-level form in the Seleção’s attack.
This season, Raphinha has been one of the most decisive players in world football. His impact in the Clásicos was unmatched, scoring five goals and providing two assists in four games against Madrid. Now, he is expected to feature in Ancelotti’s starting lineup for the World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador (June 5) and Paraguay (June 10).
The projected attacking trio includes Raphinha, Vinícius Jr., and Rodrygo, with no traditional number nine and no guaranteed return for Neymar, who’s been sidelined with a hamstring injury and has not played for Brazil since his ACL tear in October 2023.
A Connection Built on Respect and Admiration
The seeds of the Ancelotti–Raphinha relationship were planted during the Copa del Rey final, when the two shared a brief but telling exchange following the match. According to Brazilian media, Ancelotti may have informed Raphinha about his ongoing negotiations with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) at that moment.
With Neymar absent, Raphinha has stepped up as a vocal leader and driving force on the pitch for Brazil. So far in the qualifiers, the Barcelona forward has four goals and one assist, while Vinícius Jr. has only scored once — a statistic that underlines Raphinha’s growing importance.
Whether playing as a right winger or a central playmaker, the 27-year-old will be central to Ancelotti’s plans, regardless of whether he opts for a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 setup. This season, he’s done the job Vinícius Jr. was expected to do — and excelled at it.
Ancelotti, always known for his man-management skills, will likely give Raphinha the freedom and support needed to maintain his world-class form. After all, he’s no longer the threat from across the pitch — he’s now a vital piece in Brazil’s quest for redemption.
