Injured Raphinha will miss India friendly

Brazil forward Raphinha will miss the team’s historic friendly against India in Kolkata on October 3 after sustaining a thigh injury during their 4-2 victory over Australia.

Raphinha was substituted at half-time after feeling discomfort in his right thigh, raising concerns at Barcelona at the start of the new season.

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In the first friendly against Australia, Raphinha played the full 90 minutes and provided the assist for Rayan’s late equalizer and in the second match, he scored Brazil’s equaliser from the penalty spot before being withdrawn at half-time.

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The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed that the Barcelona forward has been withdrawn from the squad for the India match following medical tests.

“An imaging exam on the striker revealed a small muscle edema in the posterior region of his right thigh,” the CBF said in a statement.

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Raphinha is now expected to return to Barcelona for further examinations and treatment. Initial reports indicate there is no serious injury, with Globo reporting that only minor edema was detected.

Brazil have opted not to take any risks with the forward, particularly given his history of injuries in the same area. Raphinha suffered four separate right-thigh injuries last season and spent more than 150 days on the sidelines.

No replacement will be called up for the India friendly.

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Raphinha had been one of the key figures in Brazil’s current international window. He was wearing the No. 10 shirt, served as captain and was the team’s designated penalty taker.

Brazil are scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on October 1 ahead of the match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, commonly known as Salt Lake Stadium.

The October 3 fixture will be the first senior international meeting between Brazil and India.

Raphinha’s absence means Indian fans will have to wait longer to see the Barcelona star in action, but the match remains a landmark occasion for Indian football and is expected to draw a large crowd in Kolkata.