Ancelotti picks Raphinha again despite Barça fears over 10,000km trip

📰 Despite Barça's concerns, Raphinha has been called up by Brazil again — this time for a trip of more than 10,000km to Asia. 📌 Key points 📋 Ancelotti named Brazil's 26-man squad for the November friendlies on 29 October. 🇧🇷 Barça captain Raphinha and Madrid's Vinícius are both included. 🩹 Raphinha has had physical problems on each recent international trip. ✈️ Both friendlies are in Singapore, a journey of more than 10,000km. 🗣️ Barça wanted him rested but could not stop the call-up. 📝 What happened 📋 Carlo Ancelotti announced the 26-man squad at the CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro on 29 October. According to EFE it is an experimental list with 15 players under 23, but Raphinha and Vinícius kept their places. 🩹 Raphinha came off at half-time with a thigh problem in September's 4-2 win over Australia. Tests showed muscle oedema, and he missed Barça's games against Getafe and Galatasaray. Reports say he also had problems with Brazil in March and at the summer World Cup. 🗣️ Spanish media reported that Barça planned to speak to Brazil's staff and Ancelotti to get Raphinha a rest. The squad announcement means that did not happen. ⚽ The 29-year-old is LaLiga's top scorer with 13 goals and equalised in the Clásico, although Hansi Flick admitted he was not yet at 100%. 📊 By the numbers • 26-man Brazil squad, 15 of them under 23 • Japan on 14 November, Singapore on 17 November (both in Singapore) • About 10,000km from Barcelona to Singapore • Raphinha: 13 league goals, top of the scoring charts 🔭 Why it matters Barça already have a long injury list, and losing their key attacker after a long-haul trip would hurt badly. Before that, Raphinha faces Alavés on 31 October, Aston Villa on 3 November and Atlético away on 8 November.