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Brazil national team boss Carlo Ancelotti has on Friday moved to throw his backing behind Barcelona star Raphinha once more.
This comes amid a fresh round of criticism being directed at the winger.
Raphinha was afforded a starting berth last weekend, as Brazil kicked their World Cup campaign into gear in a meeting with African outfit Morocco.
En route to an eventual 1-1 stalemate, though, the former Leeds United man, like many of his teammates, struggled to have a decisive impact on proceedings.
Such woes gave rise to ensuing calls for Raphinha to be dropped to the bench next time out, when Brazil lock horns with minnows Haiti.
Speaking to the media on Friday, the name of his under-fire wide-man was therefore put to the aforementioned Carlo Ancelotti. And Brazil’s headmaster made use of the opportunity to reiterate his full faith in Raphinha’s talents, assuring:
“For me, Rapha is one of the best players in the world.”
The 29-year-old is expected to retain his place in his country’s starting XI in Philadelphia in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Conor Laird – GSFN