FC Barcelona’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup has been well documented, with the Catalan club sending a significant contingent of players to represent their nations across the tournament. Raphinha has been among the most prominent of those representatives, arriving in the United States as one of Carlo Ancelotti’s first-choice options for Brazil and having delivered one of the more complete individual seasons in the Blaugranes’ recent history. The early stages of the competition, however, have already produced an unwelcome development for both the winger and the club.
As Barca News Network has reported, Raphinha suffered a muscle injury relapse during Brazil’s opening World Cup match against Haiti, with subsequent imaging confirming a problem in the back of his right thigh. The Brazilian FA confirmed he will follow an intensive treatment programme under the national team’s medical staff, though Diario AS has reported internally that Barcelona consider the injury more serious than the CBF’s public framing suggests, with the club having warned that the risk of another relapse remains high if he is rushed back. Brazil coach Ancelotti told reporters after the Haiti match that the squad would need to be assessed before any clearer prognosis could be given.
Raphinha addressed the situation directly on social media, sharing a series of images from his career with the Seleção alongside a lengthy statement.
“I chose this photo first and foremost because it reminds me where it all started. The boy who dreamed of wearing the Brazilian national team shirt is still here. With the same dreams, the same gratitude, and the same desire to represent our country. I love football, I love what I do, and I love wearing the Brazil shirt. Those who know me know how demanding I am of myself and how hard I work every day to improve. And that will never change. I will do everything in my power to recover and return as soon as possible. I want to be alongside my teammates, fight for our goals, and continue giving everything to honor this shirt and bring joy to the Brazilian fans.”
At 28 years of age, Raphinha has now sustained at least four hamstring-related problems across the past twelve months, missing 23 matches for Barcelona in 2023–24 with similar issues. He also tore his biceps femoris in a Brazil friendly against France in March, an absence that kept him out for five weeks – and it is that recurrent pattern, as much as the current setback itself, that has given Barcelona’s medical department cause for concern throughout this tournament.
The two-week sidelined estimate lines up closely with a potential Round of 16 return for Brazil, should they advance past the group stage, but the re-injury risk attached to that timeline is precisely what the Catalans are anxious to manage. Notably absent from Raphinha’s social media message was any reference to his club future, with reports having emerged in recent days linking him to a post-tournament negotiation with Al-Hilal. Barcelona’s post-tournament medical evaluation will determine both his preseason availability under Hansi Flick and how the club approaches any Saudi interest.
Hopefully, the treatment programme proves straightforward, Raphinha returns to full fitness without further complication, and the Catalans receive him back for preseason with enough time to assess his condition properly before the new campaign begins.