Brazil not feeling the pressure of World Cup expectations, insists Raphinha



Brazilian winger Raphinha says he no longer sees the favorites label as 'pressure' ahead of the World Cup as the Selecao seek to leave their two-decade watch for the title.

Tite's side head to Qatar 2022 in search of their first triumph in the competition since winning Korea/Japan 2002, having come a long way with a third-zone finish on home soil in 2014 since.

Despite losing last year's Copa America to Argentina, Brazil enter the game as favorites, hoping to end their drought.

Barcelona's Raphinha is one of several players hoping to make a difference for the country, but he says being ranked among the ability favorites no longer fazes him.

"I'm ready for the World Cup and I'm working hard to get there as well as I can, both physically and mentally," he told the Blaugrana website.

"The vibe is of a national crew winning, daring and wanting to conquer the name. There's a great vibe throughout the crew.

"I don't see it as stress, a team like Brazil is still a World Cup contender or some other identity they play for. Calling the enthusiasts is normal due to the fact that we are a crew great, with big names.”

Raphinha has racked up eleven caps with Brazil since making his debut at the end of the season from Leeds United, and completed the transfer to Barca before this season.

It hasn't been an easy start though, with a Blaugrana squad peppered with leading names who escaped the Champions League for the second marketing campaign strolling at institution level.

The 25-year-old vintage feels like he's adjusting to his new surroundings, including: "I still see myself in a long model for the club, I think I'm in a time where it's been quite complicated, specially because of my facts and because of the way I play.”

Brazil begin their World Cup campaign against Serbia on November 24, before similarly meeting Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G.