Overview
- Raphinha started, captained and scored a first‑half penalty for Brazil before being taken off at half‑time on Tuesday with right‑thigh discomfort, the Brazilian Football Confederation said.
- The CBF statement gave the substitution reason but offered no further details about the nature or severity of the problem and medical tests are pending.
- Barcelona will be alarmed because Raphinha has been in exceptional early‑season form with 14 goals and has a prior history of hamstring and thigh muscle issues.
- Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had moved Raphinha into a central striker role for the friendly and replaced him at the break with Endrick, a change that now carries immediate fitness implications.
- If tests confirm a muscular injury, Raphinha could miss upcoming matches for both Brazil and Barcelona and the case will intensify scrutiny of player workload and club‑country travel on his availability.