Barcelona Star Raphinha Hailed ‘Best In The World’ By Real Madrid Legend Ancelotti

BusinessSportsMoneyBarcelona Star Raphinha Hailed ‘Best In The World’ By Real Madrid Legend AncelottiByTom Sanderson,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tom Sanderson has been primarily based in Barcelona since 2019.Follow AuthorJun 01, 2026, 05:49am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Brazil boss and Real Madrid legend Carlo Ancelotti hailed Barcelona star Raphinha as "the best in the world at attacking deep" after he he helped his country thrash Panama 6-2 at the Maracana on Sunday.AFP via Getty ImagesBrazil boss and Real Madrid legend Carlo Ancelotti hailed Barcelona star Raphinha as "the best in the world at attacking deep" after he helped his country thrash Panama 6-2 at the Maracana on Sunday.The Italian has been on the receiving end of the Blaugrana number 11’s brilliance at the Bernabeu, and especially in a Ballon d’Or contending 2024/2025 campaign where he destroyed Los Blancos in the Spanish Super Cup final as part of a domestic treble sweep by Hansi Flick’s men.Madrid finished that season as the first of two that have been trophyless. Luckily for Ancelotti, though, he now gets to oversee Raphinha at international level. At the upcoming World Cup, the 29-year-old is set to be key for the five-time winners alongside Madrid ace Vinicius Jr and perhaps an aging, injury-niggled Neymar whose involvement is touch and go.Neymar watched from the stands at the Maracana, as Vincius’ screamer of an opening goal kicked off the scoring in a 6-2 win.Reacting to it, Ancelotti stated that Raphinha, who had 80% passing accuracy in the opposition half and was brought off for Endrick at half time, is “the best in the world at attacking deep”.Does Raphinha have specific orders from Ancelotti?Ancelotti explained that what he asks of Raphinha is “to stay close to the defensive line”.MORE FOR YOU“I think being close to the...