Brazil's Raphinha Faces Injury Concerns After France Match

Brazilian head coach Carlo Ancelotti has provided an update on Raphinha following his substitution during the friendly match against France, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Selecao. The Barcelona winger was replaced at half-time due to a muscle issue that emerged towards the end of the first half. Ancelotti reported that Raphinha had shown strong performance until the injury, briefly noting, "Raphinha played very well, then he had a problem at the end of the first half and we had to change him." The situation has prompted concerns within Barcelona regarding Raphinha's fitness ahead of critical matches following the international break.

Officials from Barcelona have been in contact with Raphinha, with some reports suggesting that there is serious concern over the potential impact of his injury. The FIFA World Cup in 2026 is approaching, and Raphinha’s condition will be closely monitored. This friendly match, taking place at Gillette Stadium in the United States, marked Raphinha’s 37th appearance for Brazil since making his national team debut in 2021. Despite his promising start and efforts that created opportunities, his withdrawal left a noticeable gap in the squad as Brazil struggled to maintain momentum against a weakened French side.

According to information from Mundo Deportivo, the club's medical team is on high alert regarding Raphinha’s injury. This adds further pressure as Barcelona seeks to solidify their attacking options. Raphinha has encountered several fitness issues throughout the current season, yet he appeared to be regaining form before the break. Notably, he had recently scored a hat-trick against Sevilla in La Liga and contributed heavily with two goals and two assists in the UEFA Champions League match versus Newcastle.

He is set to undergo further evaluations to assess the severity of his condition. Ancelotti emphasised the importance of player welfare over results in friendly matches, indicating that while performance matters, health is paramount. The Brazil coach expressed confidence in his squad's capabilities, stating, "Right now we have to talk about those who are here, who played, who gave everything, who showed character." Brazil's next match is scheduled against Croatia in Orlando, which will be crucial for finalising preparations for the World Cup, set to commence next year. Meanwhile, the uncertainty surrounding Raphinha could lead Ancelotti to give Luiz Henrique a starting spot to ensure both match readiness and rhythm for the team moving forward.