Muscle injury: Raphinha ruled out against Scotland and facing early World Cup exit

Raphinha left the field with an injury just before halftime during Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Haiti on Friday in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. Medical examinations conducted over the weekend confirmed a right thigh muscle injury.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released a statement indicating that “the player will follow an intensive treatment protocol, under the supervision of the Brazilian national team’s medical staff, with the aim of recovering and resuming activity as soon as possible”. Carlo Ancelotti’s staff did not specify a return timeline.

The Barcelona forward is already ruled out for the Seleção’s third group match against Scotland. A muscle injury of this type typically requires several weeks of unavailability, which seriously compromises the rest of his tournament. Raphinha could only return to the pitch if Brazil qualifies at least to the semi-finals.

Brazil had begun this World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Morocco before defeating Haiti 3-0, but the injury to their starting forward casts a shadow over a campaign that was already struggling to convince in terms of consistency.