Overview
- Raphinha publicly praised coach Carlo Ancelotti and promised to “do more” for the team at a press conference on Wednesday, signalling a closer player-coach rapport going into the World Cup.
- He arrives with strong club form after scoring 21 goals for Barcelona in the 2025–26 season, a performance Brazil hope will translate to the tournament.
- Neymar is reported likely to miss Saturday’s Group C opener against Morocco at MetLife Stadium because of a calf problem, increasing reliance on Raphinha and Vinicius Junior to lead the attack.
- Raphinha missed most of Brazil’s friendlies between October and March with injuries but says he feels more mature and better prepared for this World Cup than he did in 2022.
- Ancelotti took charge in 2025 as Brazil chase a sixth World Cup, and the team is focused on quick tactical adaptation and defensive solidity in the short tournament schedule.