"He's a little downcast" — Lucas Paqueta's words after Friday's win over Haiti tell you everything you need to know about the mood inside Brazil's camp. Raphinha limped off in the first half with yet another thigh injury, and for a player who's had four hamstring problems in the past twelve months, optimism only stretches so far.
The CBF confirmed a muscle injury to the back of his right thigh on Saturday. No timeline given. Just an "intensive treatment protocol" and a source close to the squad telling Reuters the outlook is optimistic. That's the kind of careful language teams use when they genuinely don't know yet.
A body that keeps breaking down
The context matters here. Raphinha missed 23 Barcelona matches last season through injury. His most recent setback — a hamstring issue playing for Brazil against France in March — kept him out for over a month. This is now the same muscle, same player, same pattern.
At 29, he's not old. But that injury record is a real problem, both for Brazil at this tournament and for any assessment of his reliability going forward. Selecao's attacking setup leans heavily on him, as Paqueta was honest enough to admit: "He's a very important player, and we rely on him a lot."
He was replaced by Rayan against Haiti, who Brazil beat 3-0 to move top of Group C on four points — ahead of Morocco on goal difference, with Scotland third on three. Brazil close the group stage against Scotland in Miami on Wednesday, and qualification is already secure. That at least removes the pressure of needing Raphinha fit for that one.
What this means for the knockout rounds
The real question is whether he can return for the round of 16. Brazil will back their medical staff to work a minor miracle, and they have the depth to manage without him short-term. But anyone building a Brazil futures bet around Raphinha's influence should factor in the uncomfortable reality: this is a player whose body has repeatedly failed him at crucial moments.
Paqueta wants the "least worst-case scenario." On current evidence, that's about the best Brazil can hope for.
