Raphinha Ready to Lead Brazil Under Ancelotti as World Cup Campaign Begins

Brazil forward Raphinha says he is eager to repay the trust shown in him by new national team coach Carlo Ancelotti as the five-time world champions prepare to begin their World Cup campaign in North America.

The Barcelona star, who frequently enjoyed success against Ancelotti during their years in Spanish football, believes the experienced Italian manager can help guide Brazil in its quest to end a 24-year wait for another World Cup title.

Raphinha and Ancelotti were rivals in Spain when the Brazilian played for Barcelona while Ancelotti managed Real Madrid. During that period, Raphinha was part of several memorable victories over the Madrid side, including a 4-0 La Liga win at the Santiago Bernabeu and a thrilling 4-3 triumph in the reverse fixture as Barcelona secured the league title. He also featured in Barcelona teams that defeated Real Madrid in the finals of the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Speaking at Brazil’s World Cup base in New Jersey on Wednesday, Raphinha praised his new coach’s achievements.

“What he has achieved in football is admirable, not just to those who worked with him but also his opponents,” Raphinha said.

“It was always very difficult coming up against him, but I was lucky to come out smiling a lot of the time.”

The 29-year-old added that he now hopes to help Ancelotti achieve success with Brazil.

“Now I hope to do for him all the things I did against him. To help get good results for him and for the team, because they really deserve it,” he said.

Brazil will open its World Cup campaign against Morocco in Group C at MetLife Stadium on Saturday. The match comes just days after Ancelotti celebrated his 67th birthday.

The Selecao could be without Neymar for the opener after the forward suffered a calf problem. Neymar had been included in the squad despite not playing for Brazil since 2023 because of injuries.

His absence could place greater responsibility on Raphinha, who arrives at the tournament following an impressive club season in which he scored 21 goals and provided eight assists as Barcelona won La Liga.

Reflecting on his previous World Cup experience in Qatar, where Brazil exited in the quarterfinals against Croatia on penalties, Raphinha said he now feels far more prepared for the challenge ahead.

“I think I felt more pressure in 2022, because I was more immature,” he said. “I feel much more ready now.”

Alongside Vinicius Junior, Raphinha is expected to carry much of Brazil’s attacking threat as the team seeks to avoid another disappointing World Cup campaign.

“We are very confident,” he said. “We have had years of frustration, because we had teams that were capable of winning and did not. And none of us want more frustration.”

Brazil will also face Haiti and Scotland during the group stage.