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Barcelona could face fresh concerns over Raphinha’s fitness, with Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti reportedly considering the winger for the national team’s November friendlies despite his recent recovery from a muscle injury. According to a report by Barca Universal on Saturday, October 17, 2026, the possibility of another international assignment has raised concerns for Hansi Flick as he looks to restore the Brazilian to full fitness.
Ancelotti is expected to announce his squad on October 29 ahead of Brazil’s upcoming matches against Japan and Singapore. Both fixtures are scheduled to take place at Singapore’s National Stadium, with the games set for November 14 and 17, respectively.
If selected, Raphinha would face another demanding international trip shortly after returning from injury. The prospect could complicate Barcelona’s efforts to manage his workload and ensure he remains available for the club’s upcoming domestic and European fixtures.
The Barcelona captain sustained his latest injury while representing Brazil in Brisbane during their second friendly against Australia. He was forced off at half-time after converting a penalty, although the Seleção went on to claim a 4-2 victory.
His absence was subsequently felt at Barcelona, with Flick unable to call upon the winger for the team’s 3-0 La Liga win over Getafe and their convincing 4-1 Champions League victory against Galatasaray in Istanbul.
Raphinha’s return has provided Barcelona with a welcome boost. The attacker has received medical clearance and rejoined the squad ahead of the meeting with Real Betis, giving Flick another important option as the team seeks to maintain its attacking momentum.
The German manager will be keen to see the Brazilian regain his rhythm and match fitness gradually after his spell on the sidelines. Raphinha’s creativity, pressing and ability to contribute goals make him an important component of Barcelona’s attacking plans.
However, another international call-up could create a difficult situation for the Catalan club, particularly if the winger is required to play significant minutes across both fixtures. Barcelona will be hoping his recovery continues without further complications as the season progresses.
The proposed squad selection has also prompted questions about the sporting value of Brazil’s recent international schedule. The team’s previous programme included two friendlies against Australia, as well as a match against India in Calcutta.
The report raises doubts about the benefits of such fixtures following the 2026 World Cup, particularly regarding the extent to which they help Ancelotti assess his senior squad beyond identifying promising players for Brazil’s Olympic project.
For Barcelona, the immediate priority will be ensuring that Raphinha can return to consistent action without suffering another setback. His international involvement will become clearer once Ancelotti announces his squad later this month.
If the winger receives a call-up, Barcelona may need to coordinate closely with the Brazilian Football Confederation over his workload and participation. Such precautions would be important as Flick attempts to keep one of his key attacking players fit for the remainder of the campaign.