Overview
- Raphinha gave an emotional press conference in Singapore on Friday, saying “I want to play every match and as many minutes as possible” and denying he asked to skip or pick games for Brazil.
- He explained that three recent injuries to the back of his right thigh have made him cautious and that he advanced an October 26 operation to remove an ear cyst so he could travel for the Asian friendlies.
- Raphinha said his talk with coach Carlo Ancelotti was about managing minutes to avoid re‑injury, not about refusing selections, and he is expected to wear the captain’s armband against Japan while Ancelotti limits playing time.
- Barcelona staff have privately worried about long trips to friendlies after players returned injured from previous breaks, and the club preferred the surgery during the FIFA window rather than before the Asia trip.
- The episode has sparked sharp criticism in parts of Brazil that questioned his patriotism, a reaction that highlights how medical caution can collide with national expectations and may pressure players to hide or downplay injuries.