In Brisbane, Brazil’s new cycle is taking shape through more than a changed teamsheet. Carlo Ancelotti will hand the captain’s armband to a new player for Tuesday’s second friendly against Australia, with Raphinha the leading candidate to step in for Marquinhos.
Marquinhos is set to begin on the bench as Ancelotti makes seven alterations to his starting side. Raphinha and Bruno Guimarães are the two options for captain, although the Barcelona forward is expected to get the nod.
Quick facts
- Brazil face Australia on Tuesday at Brisbane Stadium, kicking off at 7am Brasília time.
- Ancelotti is due to change seven starters for the second friendly.
- Raphinha is expected to lead the side, with Bruno Guimarães also considered.
- Brazil travel to Kolkata on Thursday and meet India on the 3rd.
The decision offers an early indication of Brazil’s leadership order behind Marquinhos. Both candidates are part of the group Ancelotti sees as central to the road towards 2030, alongside Gabriel Magalhães and Vinícius Júnior.
“I selected Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Bruno, Vini and Raphinha to help with this generational transition,” Ancelotti said. “They matter greatly to the future because of their commitment, seriousness, ability and professionalism. They will help younger players improve and prepare for the competitions ahead.”
Raphinha has recently taken over the captaincy at Barcelona and has been the club’s standout performer at the start of the season. In Brisbane he is also expected to operate as Brazil’s centre-forward.
Bruno Guimarães brings his own leadership record from Newcastle, where he wore the armband for much of his spell and lifted last year’s League Cup, ending the club’s 70-year wait for major silverware.
The pair are filling a space left by Danilo, Neymar and Casemiro, whose Brazil careers have ended by mutual agreement with Ancelotti. Goalkeeper Alisson is another experienced leader absent during this international window, though he remains in the plans for the 2028 Copa América.
For Raphinha and Bruno, the Australia match comes at the beginning of their third World Cup cycle with the national team. The identity of the stand-in captain may be a small detail in Brisbane, but it carries weight in a Brazil squad being reshaped for the years ahead.
