Real Madrid legend Carlo Ancelotti said that FC Barcelona winger Raphinha is a “spectacular player” after he helped Brazil beat Paraguay 1-0 in Sao Paulo on Tuesday night.

The victory was Ancelotti’s first in his new role overseeing the five-time World Cup champions, and the fact it came in a qualifier meant that Brazil booked its place for the 2026 edition of the competition set to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Ancelotti said that he was “very satisfied” with the attitude of the entire team post-match. “It’s very difficult in football for everything to go well and in these 15 days everything has gone well,” he reflected regarding his first fortnight in charge, which also took in a 0-0 draw away in Ecuador.

“Modern football is [played with] intensity with and without the ball. Pressure is very important because it does not allow the opponent to play as they want. The problem is that to press you have to run and sacrifice, have commitment and attitude, which the team has done in these two games” Ancelotti explained.

“Pressing is very important, but you have to run,” he further added, remarking that Brazil played a “good game” in the Arena Corinthians despite collectively taking its foot off the gas in the second half.

“But the match in general was very complete and very good… We came out very happy and now we look forward,” Ancelotti said, though he acknowledged that there is “obviously” plenty of work ahead of him to improve Brazil before it competes at the 2026 World Cup.

There were individual compliments too, as Ancelotti praised Raphinha for his “extraordinary physical work”.

“He’s a spectacular player,” Ancelotti beamed, about a figure he faced on no fewer than four occasions in El Clasico last season, with the Blaugrana number 11 coming out on top each time while racking up a number of goals and assists.

^{Raphinha has to replicate his FC Barcelona form for Brazil}

As is also the case with Vinicius Jr. and his Real Madrid exploits, Raphinha needs to replicate his strong FC Barcelona form for his country to convince Brazilians. There’s a lot of expectation for them to do so at the next World Cup, where winning the hearts of a demanding Brazilian public is top of the agenda for Ancelotti and Co.