Raphinha has officially been handed Brazil’s legendary No.10 shirt following Neymar Jr’s retirement from international football, with the Barcelona forward set to wear the iconic number during the Selecao’s upcoming exhibition fixtures.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed the squad numbers for its 26-man travelling party ahead of the international friendlies in Oceania and Asia, with Raphinha taking over the shirt that Neymar wore for more than a decade.
The change represents a significant moment for Brazil as the national team begins a new chapter following the conclusion of the World Cup cycle.
Neymar made the No.10 shirt synonymous with his name during his international career, carrying the number through major tournaments and becoming Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Raphinha will now inherit the responsibility associated with the famous shirt as Brazil look to develop a refreshed attacking setup.
The squad-number changes extend beyond Raphinha, with Real Madrid youngster Endrick taking the No.9 shirt from Matheus Cunha, who was not included in the squad for this international break.
The reshuffle highlights the changing landscape of Brazil’s forward line as a new generation of attacking players begin to take on greater responsibility with the national team.
Estevao has also been handed the No.11 shirt, while Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior retains his familiar No.7 jersey.
At the back, Brazil have maintained some continuity, with Marquinhos continuing to wear the No.4 shirt and Gabriel Magalhaes retaining No.3.
Hugo Souza has been assigned the No.1 shirt as the squad prepares for its upcoming fixtures.
Raphinha’s appointment as Brazil’s new No.10 is particularly significant given the history attached to the shirt. The number has been worn by some of the greatest players in Brazilian football, including Pelé, Ronaldinho and Neymar.
The Barcelona forward will now begin his own chapter with the iconic shirt as Brazil continue their transition towards a new generation of players.
With established stars such as Vinicius Junior and Raphinha joined by emerging talents including Endrick and Estevao, the updated squad numbers underline the changing face of the Selecao following the latest World Cup cycle.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side begin their tour against Australia in Townsville this Friday before facing the Socceroos again in Brisbane four days later. The intercontinental trip concludes with an encounter against India in Kolkata on Saturday, November 3. That demanding schedule provides the coaching staff with a crucial platform to test new tactical combinations ahead of future competitive fixtures.
