Ancelotti rejects Barcelona’s request and calls up Rafinha for Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti has pushed back against Barcelona’s objections after naming Rafinha in Brazil’s squad for two November friendlies, saying the national team will not accept special requests from clubs.

Ancelotti insists selection is a national decision

The Brazil coach included Rafinha in the list for friendlies against Japan and Singapore on 14 and 17 November, despite concerns at Barcelona about the player’s fitness and the gruelling travel involved — almost 22,000 kilometres round trip for those matches.

Rafinha suffered a muscle injury on 29 September during Brazil’s match with Australia in Brisbane and has been working to return to full match conditioning, but has yet to complete a full game since the setback. That continued recovery prompted alarm in Barcelona, which had previously criticised international call-ups for the load they place on players.

At the squad announcement press conference reporters raised Joan Laporta’s earlier complaints. Ancelotti stressed the national team’s communication with clubs, saying: "We have good relations with Brazilian and European clubs and we exchange information about the players. In general, those relations are good."

When asked directly about any special accommodations requested by Barcelona, the coach was unequivocal: "We do not have special requests, nor do we need them. During international breaks we will call up players who we consider important for the Brazilian national team."

Ancelotti also explained why Rafinha was chosen despite lingering fitness doubts, framing the decision within a broader squad refresh. "We started a renewal project and now is the ideal moment for that. In September we began to evaluate the group of younger players, and now we continue with the same process," he said, adding that the final list contains 15 players under 23 and nine who are still eligible for the Olympic squad.

Photo: press material from the event