Barcelona forward Raphinha is expected to have a significant say on how many minutes he plays for Brazil during the November international break, following an understanding between the Catalan club and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to protect him from another injury setback.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly prepared to consult the player over his involvement, including whether he starts or comes on as a substitute, as the five-time world champions prepare for friendly matches against Japan and Singapore, blueprint reports.

The arrangement follows concerns at Barcelona over Raphinha’s fitness after the winger suffered another muscular problem while on international duty in September.

According to reports from Spain and Brazil, Barcelona and the CBF have agreed to coordinate his workload to minimise the possibility of a recurrence and ensure he returns to club football in good physical condition.

The development is particularly significant for Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who had expressed reservations about Raphinha travelling for international duty without being fully recovered.

The forward remains an important player for both club and country, but his recent injury history has made careful management of his playing time a priority.

Previous injury raises fresh concerns at Barcelona

Raphinha’s latest fitness concerns stem from the September-October international window, when he suffered a muscular injury during Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Australia on September 29.

The Barcelona attacker reportedly experienced pain in the back of his right thigh and was withdrawn at half-time. Subsequent medical examinations revealed slight muscle oedema, forcing Brazil to leave him out of the subsequent match against India so he could continue his recovery at Barcelona.

The setback was particularly frustrating because it followed an earlier muscular problem, making the latest injury another interruption to his campaign.

According to reports, Barcelona were unhappy with the decision to include him in the latest Brazil squad because they were not convinced he had completely recovered.

The club’s concern is understandable, given Raphinha’s importance to Flick’s attacking plans and the demands of Barcelona’s domestic and European campaigns.

The agreement with the CBF is therefore intended to strike a balance between Brazil’s need to use one of its most influential attackers and Barcelona’s desire to avoid another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Japan friendly presents first test

Brazil’s first assignment during the international window will be against Japan on Saturday, November 14, at the Singapore National Stadium.

The encounter is particularly interesting because it will be a rematch of the sides’ meeting at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 in their Round of 32 encounter on June 29, eliminating the Asian side from the tournament. The November friendly will give Japan an opportunity to measure its progress against one of the world’s most successful football nations.

Japan are not expected to approach the encounter as a routine friendly. The Samurai Blue have continued to develop a reputation for disciplined organisation, technical quality and the ability to trouble highly rated opponents.

Their squad for the Singapore fixtures includes several familiar names, with Monaco midfielder Takumi Minamino among the notable selections.

Minamino’s return is particularly significant after he missed the 2026 World Cup because of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. He returned to action for Monaco in October and is now back in contention for his country.

Japan have also selected Real Sociedad midfielder Takefusa Kubo, Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Genk winger Junya Ito.

However, Lille striker Ayase Ueda was left out because of a foot injury.

The Japanese team will therefore provide a meaningful examination of Brazil’s defensive organisation and attacking combinations, especially as Ancelotti continues to shape the side for the next phase of his rebuilding project.

The November matches form part of Brazil’s continuing rebuilding process under Ancelotti, who is using international friendlies to assess players and develop a more settled team.

The former Real Madrid manager has repeatedly emphasised the importance of testing different combinations and strengthening Brazil’s identity ahead of future competitive assignments.

Brazil’s recent results provide some encouragement. The team drew 1-1 with Australia on September 25 before recording a 4-2 victory over the same opponents four days later.

They subsequently defeated India 4-0 on October 3, with Ancelotti expressing satisfaction with the performance of the younger players.

The results have offered the Italian coach an opportunity to assess the depth of his squad, particularly as Brazil look beyond the established stars to develop another generation of international players.

For the November window, Ancelotti selected 26 players, with a strong emphasis on youth. The squad includes 15 players under the age of 23, reflecting the coach’s intention to broaden the pool of players available to the national team.

Among the notable names are Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Endrick, Chelsea’s Estêvão, Barcelona’s Raphinha, Bournemouth forward Rayan and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães.

Manchester City’s Allan, Aston Villa’s João Gomes, Manchester United’s Andrey Santos and Nottingham Forest defender Jair Cunha are also part of the selection.

The squad also features players from several European clubs and Brazil’s domestic league, giving Ancelotti an opportunity to examine different tactical options.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his fitness, Raphinha remains one of the most experienced attacking options in the squad.

The Barcelona forward’s ability to operate from the wings, create chances, press opponents and contribute goals makes him an important component of Brazil’s attacking structure.

His inclusion is also significant because Ancelotti is seeking to build a team capable of combining the individual brilliance of established stars with the energy and ambition of younger players.

Reports from Brazil’s training camp in Singapore on Wednesday indicated that Raphinha was being considered for a central attacking role, with Vinicius Junior on the left and Estêvão on the right.

He was also identified as Brazil’s captain for the Japan encounter in the absence of Marquinhos.

The development suggests that Ancelotti still regards him as an important leader, although his actual involvement will depend on the agreed fitness-management plan.

Raphinha, Vinicius and Estêvão could provide Brazil with considerable attacking quality, but the coach will have to balance their individual strengths with the need to maintain tactical discipline.

There are also fitness considerations elsewhere in the squad. Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimarães has been managing his workload and reportedly missed the most demanding part of training for a third consecutive day.

Gabriel Magalhães and Monaco defender Vanderson were also among players whose workloads were carefully monitored following their arrival in Singapore.

The situation indicates that Brazil’s preparations are not solely about selecting the strongest available starting eleven but also ensuring that players return to their respective clubs without unnecessary physical setbacks.

Singapore encounter to conclude Brazil’s 2026 fixtures

After the Japan match, Brazil will face hosts Singapore on Tuesday, November 17, in their final international fixture of the year.

The encounter will be the first meeting between the senior national teams of Brazil and Singapore.

While the Japan fixture is expected to provide a more demanding examination, the second match could offer Ancelotti additional opportunities to assess players who may not feature prominently in the opening game.

The two friendlies will take place at the Singapore National Stadium as part of the Kallang Football Series, an international football showcase involving national teams during the November window.

For Raphinha, however, the priority will be to complete the international assignment without another injury.

Barcelona will be monitoring his condition closely, particularly as the club prepares for the demanding months ahead.

The reported understanding between the club and the Brazilian football authorities means that his participation is expected to be carefully managed rather than determined solely by tactical considerations.

Whether he starts against Japan, comes off the bench or is rested will therefore attract considerable attention.

For Ancelotti, the challenge is to get the best out of one of Brazil’s most important attacking players without compromising his long-term fitness.

And for Barcelona, a successful international break will not necessarily be measured by how many minutes Raphinha plays, but by whether he returns to Spain fit and ready for the club’s next assignments.