Barcelona’s concerns regarding Raphinha’s participation with Brazil during the international break have materialized into a serious issue following his withdrawal due to muscular discomfort during the team’s friendly against Australia.
The forward departed the match at the beginning of the second half after indicating pain in his right thigh. The extent of the injury remains unclear.
The Brazilian Football Confederation reported that Raphinha expressed “discomfort in his right thigh” before being replaced by Real Madrid’s Endrick.
This injury raises alarms for Barcelona, who had already expressed unease about Raphinha’s fitness prior to the international matches.
Recently, the 29-year-old received Brazil’s prestigious No.10 jersey following Neymar Jr.’s international retirement. The CBF confirmed Raphinha’s appointment as the new number holder for Brazil’s upcoming exhibition matches in Oceania and Asia.
Prior to his exit from the field, Raphinha was performing well and had scored Brazil’s second goal from the penalty spot just before halftime, leveling the score at 2-2.
In light of the situation, Carlo Ancelotti opted not to take chances, substituting Endrick into the match.
At this moment, there is no conclusive information regarding the injury or how long Raphinha may be sidelined.
Brazilian source Globo characterized the issue as a minor discomfort in the right thigh, but additional medical assessments will be necessary to fully understand the situation.
Barcelona had been monitoring Raphinha’s condition closely as he showcased exceptional form and faced a rigorous schedule with the national team.
Marca noted that the club’s worries stemmed from the lengthy travel involved with matches in Australia and India, and the associated physical toll of international play.
This concern was compounded by Raphinha’s previous injury record while representing Brazil.
In March, he experienced a muscular issue in a match against France, which resulted in him being released from the national team and missing approximately five weeks of club action.
Additionally, Raphinha had an injury to his right thigh during Brazil’s World Cup game versus Haiti, missing two international fixtures at that time as examinations revealed a muscular injury in the same area.
Given the recurring nature of this problem, Barcelona is adopting a cautious approach regarding his latest injury.
The timing of this setback is detrimental, especially considering Raphinha’s outstanding start to the current season.
Reports indicate he netted 14 goals in his first eight matches for Barcelona, solidifying his role as a key player for Hansi Flick’s team.
His shift to a more central attacking position has been notable, transitioning from a traditional winger role to a forward-like presence on the field.
In La Liga matches alone, he recorded 12 goals in the first seven games, marking the best scoring commencement of his career.
Flick expressed concern about his players’ safety during international duty while acknowledging the necessary trust in national teams’ medical staff.
Barcelona now awaits the results of Raphinha’s medical tests to ascertain whether this issue is temporary discomfort or a more serious muscular injury that might impede his return after the break.
For a player who has had such an impressive start to the season, the Catalan club is hopeful that this latest incident turns out to be a minor concern.
