Overview
- The Confederação Brasileira de Futebol announced Wednesday that imaging showed a small edema in Raphinha’s right posterior thigh and released him to return to Barcelona for treatment.
- Carlo Ancelotti and Brazil’s staff decided not to call a replacement for the friendly against India and opted to preserve the squad rather than risk Raphinha playing.
- Match reports say Raphinha felt discomfort and was substituted at half-time in Brazil’s win over Australia after scoring a penalty, which prompted the postgame imaging.
- Spanish media reported Barcelona pushed for the early release and president Joan Laporta publicly criticized the length of the FIFA international window for exposing club players to injury risk.
- Club doctors will monitor recovery carefully because Raphinha had multiple thigh problems last season and Barcelona must assess his fitness ahead of key fixtures, including the El Clásico on October 25.