Raphinha, Brazil’s dynamic Barcelona winger, says he’s entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a different mindset than the one he carried into Qatar four years ago. More mature, less weighed down by pressure, and genuinely happy with his team and coach Carlo Ancelotti.
A different Raphinha shows up in 2026
Raphinha was named to Brazil’s 26-man squad on May 18, 2026, marking his second consecutive World Cup selection. His first came in 2022, when he was still finding his footing on the global stage.
Carlo Ancelotti, who took over as Brazil’s head coach, has been vocal about Raphinha’s importance to the team’s system. During a press briefing on June 1, 2026, Ancelotti called him “the best player in the world” when it comes to attacking the space behind defensive lines.
“The best player in the world” for attacking deep spaces. – Carlo Ancelotti on Raphinha, June 1, 2026
