Ancelotti hopes Raphinha will lift Brazil’s attack against Paraguay

Brazil national team manager Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Raphinha as one the best players in the world as the Barcelona forward prepares to return for a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.

Raphinha is set to start Tuesday’s clash at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo after missing Brazil’s goalless draw with Ecuador in Guayaquil last Thursday due to suspension.

Raphinha (L) of Brazil vies with Daniel Munoz of Colombia during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Latin American Qualifier football match between Brazil and Colombia in Brasilia, Brazil, March 20, 2025. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)

“It’s great that Raphinha is back,” Ancelotti told a news conference. “He has shown that he is one of the best players in football at the moment.”

Raphinha enjoyed a breakout season in 2024-25 with 34 goals in 57 games across all competitions for Barcelona.

The 28-year-old former Leeds United player has also been a consistent performer at international level and is Brazil’s top scorer in the current qualifying campaign with five goals.

“He is a very important player for us and could help us to unlock the game against a team that knows how to defend,” Ancelotti said.

The Italian manager had words of praise for Paraguay, which is currently third in the 10-team South American group, two points ahead of fourth-placed Brazil.

“Paraguay is playing very well,” the former Real Madrid manager said. “It’s a very solid team and is not afraid to go forward. But we are going to try to play our game and we hope that we can make our fans happy.”

The top six teams in the South American group will automatically qualify for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.