Raphinha Takes Over Brazil's Number 10 Shirt for Friendlies Against Australia and India

Raphinha Assigned Brazil's Famous Number 10 Jersey

Raphinha, currently playing for Barcelona, has been given the iconic number 10 shirt for Brazil's upcoming friendlies against Australia and India. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released the squad numbers for the 26-man team, marking a clear shift in the team’s attacking roles after their recent World Cup campaign.

A New Chapter for Brazil’s Number 10

The number 10 shirt, worn by Neymar for over ten years, now belongs to Raphinha. This change represents more than just a number switch; it shows a fresh direction in Brazil's offensive lineup. Meanwhile, the young Real Madrid talent Endrick takes over the number nine jersey from Matheus Cunha, who is not part of this squad.

Changing Tactics and Leadership

Passing the legendary number 10 to Raphinha highlights his rising role as the main creative force within the team. At 29, he is expected to lead Brazil’s attack and find ways to break down opponents’ defenses. The decision to give Endrick the centre-forward’s number indicates trust in the teenager’s potential to become Brazil’s future attacking star.

Youth Movement Visible in Squad Numbers

This roster reflects a broader trend of youth infusion in the national team. Among the newcomers, Estevao wears number 11, while Vinicius Junior keeps his usual number seven. Defenders Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes retain numbers four and three respectively. Goalkeeper Hugo Souza is assigned number one.

Upcoming Matches on a Challenging Tour

Brazil will kick off their intercontinental tour with a match against Australia in Townsville this Friday. They will face the Socceroos again in Brisbane four days later before concluding with a game versus India in Kolkata on Saturday, November 3. This packed schedule offers the coaching staff valuable opportunities to experiment with tactics and player combinations ahead of upcoming competitive games.

• Number 10: Raphinha
• Number 9: Endrick
• Number 11: Estevao
• Number 7: Vinicius Junior
• Number 4: Marquinhos
• Number 3: Gabriel Magalhaes
• Number 1: Hugo Souza