Raphinha Pledges Brazil Loyalty to Ancelotti Ahead of World Cup Reunion

Posted : 11 June 2026

Brazil forward Raphinha has said he is determined to reward the trust of new national team coach Carlo Ancelotti as the pair prepare for a fresh chapter together at the World Cup.

The attacker and Ancelotti share a long history from their time in Spain, where Raphinha regularly troubled the Italian coach while playing for Barcelona against his Real Madrid side. During that period, Barcelona enjoyed several high-profile victories, including a 4-0 win at the Santiago Bernabéu in which Raphinha scored, as well as a dramatic 4-3 comeback win in the reverse fixture that helped secure the LaLiga title. He also featured in Barcelona’s triumphs over Real Madrid in both the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals.

Speaking at Brazil’s World Cup base in New Jersey, Raphinha praised Ancelotti’s achievements in football, describing his career as admirable not only to players he has coached but also to those who have competed against him. He admitted that facing Ancelotti’s teams was always difficult, but said he often left those encounters with positive results.

Now, however, the 29-year-old says his focus is on contributing to Ancelotti’s success with Brazil, as the team aims to end a 24-year wait for a sixth World Cup title. He expressed hope that he can replicate the impact he once had against Ancelotti, this time helping rather than hurting his coach’s ambitions.

Ancelotti, who recently took charge of Brazil, celebrated his 67th birthday this week as he prepares to lead the Selecao into the tournament. Brazil open their Group C campaign against Morocco at the MetLife Stadium, with fixtures against Haiti and Scotland to follow.

The squad’s preparations have been complicated by the absence of Neymar, who was included in the squad despite a long injury layoff but is now expected to miss the opening match due to a calf problem. His absence places added responsibility on Raphinha and Vinicius Junior, both of whom are expected to lead Brazil’s attack.

Raphinha, who scored 21 goals and provided eight assists in a strong season for Barcelona, believes he is better prepared for this World Cup than he was in 2022. He said he felt more pressure during the previous tournament due to his relative inexperience with the national team and his early days at Barcelona, but now feels more settled and confident.

Reflecting on Brazil’s recent tournament disappointments, he stressed that the squad understands the expectations placed on them as five-time world champions. He added that the team is fully aware of the pressure but is determined to avoid further setbacks after years of near misses.

Raphinha Pledges Brazil Loyalty to Ancelotti Ahead of World Cup Reunion

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