Forward Raphinha has left the Brazil camp and returned to Barcelona after scans showed a small muscular oedema in the back of his right thigh. He felt pain during Brazil’s 4-2 friendly win over Australia on Tuesday 29 September in Brisbane.
Brazilian FA release Raphinha from the rest of the camp
The Brazilian Football Association announced that the player underwent an examination on Wednesday 30 September, and that the decision to release him from the rest of the camp was taken as a precaution and to speed up his recovery. The association confirmed that coach Carlo Ancelotti will not call up another player to replace Raphinha for the friendly against India on Saturday 3 October in Kolkata.
Raphinha started against Australia and scored from a penalty near the end of the first half to give Brazil an equaliser at 2-2. He left at half-time after feeling discomfort in his right thigh, with Endrick replacing him. Brazil went on to win 4-2, with Vanderson, Bruno Guimarães and Vinícius Júnior also scoring.
Raphinha was injured in Brazil’s second meeting with Australia during the current international window. The teams had drawn 1-1 in the first match in Townsville, before Ancelotti’s side won the second game in Brisbane.
Barcelona to determine Raphinha’s fitness after tests
The player is expected to undergo further tests with Barcelona’s medical staff on Thursday 1 October to assess his condition precisely and determine whether he can take part in upcoming matches. The results of the initial examination conducted by Brazil indicate that there is no serious muscular injury, but the club is awaiting its own medical assessment before setting a recovery programme.
Injuries disrupted Raphinha’s involvement at various points last season, with the player suffering four injuries, including one to the back of his right thigh during a Brazil friendly against France at the end of March. A muscular injury sustained against Haiti in the group stage also ruled him out of the rest of Brazil’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup, before the team were eliminated by Norway in the last 16.
Raphinha played 33 matches for Barcelona in all club competitions last season, scoring 21 goals and providing eight assists. The club’s medical assessment after his return to Spain will determine the next steps in his treatment and when he can resume training.
