According to Mundo Deportivo, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has named Raphinha in the squad for the November international break.
Brazil will face Japan on November 14, followed by a match against Singapore on November 17. Both fixtures will be played in Singapore. According to the latest FIFA rankings, Singapore is ranked 149th out of 211 teams.
For Raphinha, the trip to Asia involves a grueling journey, with a round-trip flight distance of nearly 22,000 kilometers. Combined with his recent muscle injury sustained during international duty, the call-up has sparked concern at Barcelona.
On September 29, during Brazil's friendly against Australia in Brisbane, Raphinha was forced off injured in the first half. He returned to Barcelona early while Brazil proceeded with a third friendly against India in Kolkata.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, the club, and supporters have legitimate reason for concern. With this being Brazil's final international window in 2026, previous incidents have set a troubling precedent: Raphinha has suffered injuries during recent Brazil appearances that have significantly impacted Barcelona's season.
Flick cannot forget what occurred in March. Raphinha suffered an injury while playing for Brazil against France in a friendly in Boston and subsequently missed five weeks of action. He sat out crucial matches in the Copa del Rey knockout stages and Champions League, and Barcelona was eliminated from both competitions by Atlético Madrid.
Additionally, Raphinha's injury recurred during the 2026 World Cup, forcing him to miss Brazil's match against Norway, which Brazil lost.
With Raphinha once again called up, Barcelona faces the prospect of history repeating itself. For a club preparing for a critical phase of the season, minimizing player injuries during international breaks remains a significant concern.