Raphinha heads to U.S. with Brazil after Barcelona hat-trick against Sevilla

Barcelona winger Raphinha has been summoned by Brazil for upcoming friendlies in the United States, capping a whirlwind 48 hours that saw him plunder a hat-trick against Sevilla before learning of his latest international call. The 27-year-old will join Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for matches against France on 26 March in Boston and Croatia on 31 March in Orlando, as the five-time world champions continue preparations for the next FIFA World Cup under a foreign manager for the first time.

The Seleção announcement landed less than 24 hours after Raphinha tormented Sevilla in a 5-2 rout at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The Brazilian opened the scoring with a cheeky Panenka penalty, having instigated the move with a back-heeled pass into João Cancelo’s path. He doubled his tally from the spot midway through the first half and completed his treble after the break with a poacher’s finish from close range. The haul was his third since Hansi Flick took the Barcelona reins and lifted his season tally to 18 goals despite missing 13 matches through injury.

Those fitness issues have curtailed a campaign that began with sky-high expectations. Last term Raphinha amassed 34 goals and 26 assists, form that briefly thrust him into Ballon d’Or discourse. Although he ultimately missed out on both the award and a spot in the FIFPro World XI, his influence within the national set-up has steadily expanded. Ancelotti has turned to the winger with increasing regularity, and Rodrygo’s long-term absence has only heightened his importance.

The March gatherings are being treated as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, so the Italian has retained the bulk of his senior core. One conspicuous omission remains Neymar, who has not appeared for Brazil since tearing knee ligaments in October 2023. The 32-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery in December and has managed just four club appearances this year. “He can be at the World Cup, but he might also not go; right now we haven’t called him because we believe he is not 100 percent physically,” Ancelotti explained.

For Raphinha, the trans-Atlantic trip offers a chance to cement his place in Ancelotti’s projected starting XI while carrying the momentum of a statement performance against Sevilla. Brazil will hope the winger can transfer his club form onto the international stage as they fine-tune a squad determined to reclaim global supremacy.