Ancelotti Makes Surprise Call as Raphinha Gets Brazil Captaincy Ahead of Vinicius Jr.

Raphinha to Wear Brazil's Captain's Armband

Carlo Ancelotti has selected Raphinha as captain of the Brazil national team for Saturday's November 14 friendly against Japan in Singapore. The 29-year-old forward was chosen ahead of Vinicius Jr. and Bruno Guimarães after regular captain Marquinhos was ruled out through injury.

According to MARCA, the Italian coach has decided to trust the Barcelona attacker to lead the Seleção at Singapore's National Stadium. Although it will not be his first time wearing the armband, the decision recognizes his growing influence at both club and international level.

Recent training sessions suggest Raphinha will start against Japan in the first of Brazil's two international fixtures during the November break.

Why Did Ancelotti Choose Raphinha?

The absence of Marquinhos, who suffered a muscular injury during Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League encounter with Barcelona, forced Ancelotti to look for a new captain.

The coaching staff considered several alternatives, including Gabriel Magalhães, Bruno Guimarães, and Vinicius Jr. Rotating the armband among different players was also discussed, but the Italian manager ultimately chose to maintain the hierarchy established during the previous international window.

According to the Spanish publication, Bruno Guimarães is next in line and will take over the captaincy whenever Raphinha is off the pitch.

The decision also reflects the Brazilian's growing importance under Hansi Flick at Barcelona, where he has scored 19 goals across all competitions this season, despite dealing with fitness issues.

Barcelona Monitoring Raphinha's Fitness

While the captaincy represents an important recognition for Raphinha, Barcelona remains concerned about his workload during the upcoming international fixtures.

The forward experienced physical discomfort during the previous Brazil camp, and the Catalan club wants to avoid further setbacks that could affect his availability for upcoming LaLiga and Champions League matches.

Initial plans suggest Raphinha will start against Japan, although he is not necessarily expected to play the full 90 minutes. The idea would be to manage his workload across both friendlies to reduce the risk of another injury.

The player has reportedly discussed his involvement during the international break with Ancelotti, while Barcelona and the Brazilian Football Confederation aim to coordinate the management of his physical condition.

Brazil Ends 2026 in Singapore

Brazil will play its final two matches of 2026 at Singapore's National Stadium, a venue with a capacity of approximately 55,000 spectators.

The Seleção is already familiar with the stadium, having faced Japan there in 2014, when Neymar produced a memorable performance by scoring all four goals in a 4-0 victory. Brazil also visited Singapore in 2019, drawing 1-1 against Senegal and Nigeria.

Following Saturday's meeting with Japan, Ancelotti's team will face Singapore on Tuesday, November 17, in its final international fixture of the year.

For Raphinha, the objective will be to repay the Italian coach's confidence while returning to Barcelona in good physical condition for the challenges awaiting Hansi Flick's side.

Key Takeaways From Brazil's Captaincy Decision

• Ancelotti's choice: Raphinha will captain Brazil against Japan ahead of Vinicius Jr. and Bruno Guimarães.
• Leadership hierarchy: Bruno Guimarães will take over the armband whenever the Barcelona forward is off the pitch.
• Barcelona's concerns: The Catalan club is closely monitoring Raphinha's playing time following his recent fitness problems.

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