Barcelona winger shuts out the noise and focuses on World Cup comeback after injury blow
· Yahoo Sports
Raphinha has only one objective at the moment: returning to action at the 2026 World Cup.
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The Barcelona winger remains convinced that his tournament is far from over and believes he can still play an important role for Brazil if his recovery continues as planned, reports SPORT.
Another injury setback
The 28-year-old suffered a tear of the biceps femoris in his right leg during Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Haiti in their second Group C match in Philadelphia.
The injury occurred on the night of 19 June, and medical scans carried out the following day at a clinic in New Jersey confirmed the diagnosis.
It was an unwelcome recurrence for Raphinha, who injured the same muscle during Brazil’s international fixtures in March.
That earlier injury was a more serious tear, forcing him to spend five weeks on the sidelines and leaving Hansi Flick without one of Barcelona’s key attacking players during the decisive stages of the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
Fully focused on recovery. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar informed Raphinha that he would miss at least two games. The first was Brazil’s final group-stage fixture, a comfortable 3-0 win over Scotland. The second is Brazil’s Round of 32 clash against Japan in Houston.
If Carlo Ancelotti’s side progresses, the most optimistic timetable would see Raphinha return on 5 July in New Jersey for the Round of 16, where Brazil would face the winner of the Ivory Coast versus Norway matchup.
Remaining at Brazil’s training base
Rather than travelling with the squad to Houston, Raphinha has stayed behind at Brazil’s training headquarters in New Jersey.
The decision allows him to maintain an intensive rehabilitation programme consisting of three training sessions per day without interruption.
The Brazilian international and the coaching staff agreed there was little benefit in making a three-hour flight only to be unable to continue the recovery routine that currently takes priority over everything else.
Ignoring the off-field noise. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Every extra day of treatment could make the difference in shortening his return.
Ignoring the off-field speculation
Away from the pitch, Raphinha has deliberately distanced himself from the media speculation surrounding his future and personal life.
Reports in Brazil suggesting family problems have been firmly denied by his wife, Natalia, who has remained active on social media throughout the tournament.
There has also been growing speculation regarding interest from Al-Hilal, who are looking to add a world-class attacking player to their squad and are also negotiating with Mohamed Salah.
For now, however, Raphinha’s attention remains fixed on a single goal: completing his rehabilitation and helping Brazil later in the World Cup if the opportunity arrives.