Raphinha to hand over Brazil’s No. 10 shirt as Neymar returns to the squad | OneFootball

There is no doubt that Raphinha is one of the most in-form players in Spain and Europe this season. The FC Barcelona forward is not only a fixed starter for Hansi Flick but has also broken his previous scoring records, having scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists so far this season, helping the Blaugrana team remain a competitor for all the big trophies.

Meanwhile, his performances for the Catalan team are also being recognised outside of the club, as is clear from the enhanced status that he now enjoys in his Brazilian national team.

He was given the number 10 in the Canarinha squad back in November, which is one of the most iconic shirts in world football, having been worn in the past by the likes of Pele, Rivelino, Zico, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Neymar.

The Barcelona star showed this historic shirt was not weighing too much on his shoulders, as he scored a free-kick goal against Venezuela the first time he wore this shirt on the pitch.

However, as Mundo Deportivo has reported, he will not get to wear this shirt in the upcoming international break as Neymar has once again been called up by the Brazilian coach Dorival Junior, and Raphinha will return the number 10 to the former Blaugrana and current Santos superstar.

Neymar’s presence on Brazil’s squad for the upcoming games against Colombia and Argentina in the next international break was a pleasant surprise as he has not played for his national team since his injury back in October 2023.

The Selecao are hoping to count on their biggest superstar for next year’s World Cup, which explains why they are getting him back his number 10. Meanwhile, Raphinha will return to number 11, the same number he wears with Barcelona, and has been advised to continue performing at his best level without thinking too much about the number on his back.