Brazil boss and Real Madrid legend Carlo Ancelotti hailed Barcelona star Raphinha as “the best in the world at attacking deep” after he helped his country thrash Panama 6-2 at the Maracana on Sunday.
The Italian has been on the receiving end of the Blaugrana number 11’s brilliance at the Bernabeu, and especially in a Ballon d’Or contending 2024/2025 campaign where he destroyed Los Blancos in the Spanish Super Cup final as part of a domestic treble sweep by Hansi Flick’s men.
Madrid finished that season as the first of two that have been trophyless. Luckily for Ancelotti, though, he now gets to oversee Raphinha at international level.
At the upcoming World Cup, the 29-year-old is set to be key for the five-time winners alongside Madrid ace Vinicius Jr and perhaps an aging, injury-niggled Neymar whose involvement is touch and go.
Neymar watched from the stands at the Maracana, as Vincius’ screamer of an opening goal kicked off the scoring in a 6-2 win.
Reacting to it, Ancelotti stated that Raphinha, who had 80% passing accuracy in the opposition half and was brought off for Endrick at half time, is “the best in the world at attacking deep”.
Does Raphinha have specific orders from Ancelotti?
Ancelotti explained that what he asks of Raphinha is “to stay close to the defensive line”.
“I think being close to the defensive line to attack from the back is more important, but I’m never going to tell Raphinha where he has to play when we have the ball,” Ancelotti answered, when asked if Barcelona’s 2022 signing from Leeds United could be used as a striker.
Against Panama, Raphinha was deployed as a central number 10 which is intersting considering where Neymar might fit yet also from a Barça perspective.
On Friday, the Catalans signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United for a $93 million fee with add-ons meaning Raphinha now has permanent competition for the left wing spot other than loanee Marcus Rashford – who might return to Manchester United on June 30.
Raphinha has been deployed by Flick centrally on rare occasions, though, and this would put him in a battle against Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez for the CAM spot.
