Carlo Ancelotti said at the press conference after Brazil's squad announcement at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters that the national team received no special request from Barcelona over Raphinha. Brazil will play two friendlies in Singapore, facing Japan on Saturday 14 November before meeting hosts Singapore on the 17th.
Answer to Laporta's criticism
Raphinha suffered a muscle tear on 29 September while playing for his country against Australia in Brisbane. Joan Laporta had claimed clubs suffer great harm because of international matches, and he voiced his displeasure at the length of the most recent break.
Ancelotti said: "We maintain good relations with the Brazilian and European clubs, and we exchange information with them regarding the players. In general, this relationship is good."
Ancelotti said: "We do not have special requests, nor do we need them. During international breaks, we will call up the players we consider important for the Brazil national team."
How Brazil shaped the squad
Ancelotti called up Raphinha for November's international break.
Ancelotti said: "This is a sensitive period, which is why we called up only one player from each team, and we decided not to call up any player from Flamengo or Palmeiras, because they are competing for the title."
Renewal project and experience
Ancelotti said: "We have begun a renewal project, and now is the ideal time to carry it out. In September, we started assessing a group of younger players, and we are now continuing the same thing with these players who could form the future of the Brazil national team."
Ancelotti said: "We prepared a balanced list, including 9 players of Olympic Games participation age, and up to 15 players under 23 years old."
Ancelotti said: "We selected 5 players who took part in the last World Cup, and they will be important in the new phase during which we will play the Copa América and a new edition of the World Cup."
Ancelotti said: "These players are Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Bruno Guimarães, Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha."
Ancelotti said: "As for Douglas Santos, we called him up again because he delivered a very positive level at the World Cup."
System for the friendlies
Ancelotti said: "We have forwards who are versatile and can fill different positions."
Ancelotti said: "I focus on what we can do, not on the quality of our opponents. We will continue to play with three players in midfield and three players in the front line."
