KOLKATA, INDIA - OCTOBER 2: Brazil Men’s National Football team head coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to media ahead of upcoming International Friendly match against India on October 2, 2026 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Samir Jana/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Gill Clark Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti has praised captain Raphinha and told Barcelona that all of his players will be carefully managed over the international break.
Barcelona have seen Raphinha pick up injuries on international duty and will be crossing their fingers the forward returns home unscathed from the latest call-up.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Japan, Ancelotti spoke about the Barcelona star and also insisted he will be carefully monitoring all of his players.
“Raphinha is doing very well here and at Barcelona. He’s showing impressive quality at Barça and can play as a striker,” he told a pre-match press conference.
“The priority is always the player’s health. If he can come in and be 100% fit, he’ll play. We’re going to monitor the minutes of all the players. We’re going to evaluate everyone.
“We have the necessary information to control each player’s minutes. All the clubs can rest assured regarding the national team. We have a top-notch team. Their health is the priority, and they’ll be ready for the return.”
Brazil play Singapore on Saturday and then face Japan on Tuesday. Barcelona are said to be “aligned” with Brazil over Raphinha’s game time during the break.