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Barcelona are concerned that Raphinha could be included in Brazil’s squad for their November international friendlies against Japan and Singapore, potentially disrupting the winger’s recovery from injury, according to a Barca Universal report published on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly considering the Barcelona forward for the upcoming fixtures despite the player’s ongoing efforts to regain full fitness. The possibility of another international assignment has raised concerns at the Catalan club, which would prefer him to remain in Spain while continuing his rehabilitation.
Raphinha has found it difficult to return to his best condition since suffering an injury during Brazil’s match against Australia in Brisbane on September 29. Although he has resumed playing, the Brazilian international recently acknowledged that he was still working towards reaching peak fitness.
Ancelotti is scheduled to announce his squad on Thursday, with Brazil due to face Japan on November 14 before meeting Singapore three days later. Raphinha’s potential involvement would require him to travel approximately 11,000 kilometres from Barcelona to Asia, adding a demanding journey to his efforts to rebuild his physical condition.
Barcelona are particularly cautious because of the forward’s importance to their attacking system. His contribution to the team makes the prospect of another injury a significant concern, especially as the club seeks to have him available consistently for the remainder of the campaign.
According to SPORT, Barcelona could contact Ancelotti or representatives of the Brazilian Football Confederation to discuss the possibility of leaving Raphinha out of the squad. Such discussions would be aimed at protecting the player’s recovery and reducing the risk of further complications during the international break.
However, the winger could still receive a call-up if the club fails to reach an agreement with the Brazilian authorities. Barcelona therefore face uncertainty as they wait for the final squad announcement, with the decision potentially affecting their plans for the coming weeks.
Brazil have reportedly adopted a different arrangement for players competing in their domestic league. With only four rounds of the Brasileirao remaining after the international break, the federation has agreed not to select certain players whose clubs are competing for the championship or attempting to avoid relegation.
That understanding provides some protection for Brazilian clubs involved in decisive stages of their domestic season. Barcelona, however, have no comparable assurance that Raphinha will be exempted from international duty, leaving the club dependent on discussions with the national team setup.
The forward’s previous experiences with Brazil have added to the Catalan side’s anxiety. Reports indicate that each of his last three international call-ups has been followed by an injury, strengthening concerns about the physical demands associated with representing his country.
One setback during an international break in March reportedly kept Raphinha out for five weeks. His absence coincided with Barcelona’s Copa del Rey and Champions League eliminations against Atletico Madrid, making the timing particularly damaging for the club.
Further injuries during the 2026 World Cup and the more recent encounter with Australia have reinforced Barcelona’s concerns about the player’s availability after international assignments.
The club will now hope that a suitable arrangement can be reached before Brazil’s squad is confirmed. With Raphinha still working towards full fitness, Barcelona want to avoid another setback that could interrupt his progress and deprive the team of an important attacking option during a crucial period of the season.