Ancelotti praises Rayan: "A very good impression"

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that Rayan left him with "a very good impression" during training sessions ahead of the friendlies to be played this month.

Ancelotti continues to give young players a chance, and his Brazil side will face Japan on Saturday before meeting Singapore for the first time in their history on 17 November.

Rayan, who was called up to Brazil's World Cup squad in the summer and provided one assist, also scored a stoppage-time equaliser against Australia during the last international break.

The Bournemouth winger has caught the eye with his performances since Neymar's reduced role in the national team and eventual retirement. However, with stars such as Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Estevao in the attacking line, the possibility of Rayan playing in midfield has arisen.

The experienced coach, who tried Rayan in midfield ahead of the Japan game, was very pleased with what he saw.

Ancelotti said: "We did tests in training to see the players in different positions, we tested Rayan in this position, as a left midfielder. He did a good job, he showed that he can play there, just like Andrey Santos can. Rayan gave me, personally, a very good impression, because he is a player who has a lot of potential, strong, committed, focused on the game."

Asked about the starting XI for the Japan match, the Italian coach replied: "I have the names in mind, but I don't want to say them." Ancelotti added that Rayan can play in that position as well, that it is a new experience for the player, but that it could be an opportunity both for him and for the national team.

Brazil will once again come up against Japan, whom they knocked out in the World Cup round of 32 in the summer thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Gabriel Martinelli. In the two countries' friendly in October 2025, Japan came from two goals down to win 3-2.