Raphinha withdrawn from Brazil squad for India friendly, returns to Barcelona

Brazil forward Raphinha has been withdrawn from Brazil’s friendly against India after the Brazilian Football Confederation announced on Wednesday that he would return to FC Barcelona for treatment.

The CBF said the decision followed swelling in Raphinha’s right thigh sustained during Brazil’s recent friendly against Australia, in which he scored a penalty in the Seleção’s 4-2 win but had to leave at halftime. Medical examinations conducted on the Barcelona forward, cited by Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo, found the issue was not significant, although the player continues to feel discomfort and the federation opted to avoid further risk.

According to the Brazilian Confederation, Raphinha has a "muscular oedema". Coach Carlo Ancelotti will keep him out of the squad for the match against India.

Raphinha has expressed a wish to return promptly to Barcelona so he can be treated by the club’s medical team, and he is likely to undergo further testing as soon as he arrives in Spain. Those tests will allow Barcelona to assess his condition and manage his recovery with the club’s staff.

Barça’s medical team has already made contact with the CBF and will carry out their own analysis when Raphinha returns to the club. Early indications, the reports say, point to overload or a minor contracture rather than a major muscular injury, and the episode has been described in some accounts as a scare rather than a full injury.

Raphinha has enjoyed a strong goals return since a positional change at Barcelona, scoring 14 goals in just eight games for the Catalans. He has been sent back to Barcelona and will not feature in the India friendly.

He is expected to undergo additional examinations on arrival in Barcelona, after which the club will direct his rehabilitation with the stated aim of making him available to play under Hansi Flick in the first match following the international break.