Injury and squad release

The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed on Wednesday, 30 September, that forward Raphinha has been released from the national squad due to a minor muscle edema on the back of his right thigh. The 29-year-old will miss Brazil's final friendly match of the international window against India in Kolkata on Saturday, 3 October. Team doctors conducted imaging tests following physical discomfort reported during Tuesday's match against Australia before opting to send him back to Spain.

“As a precaution and to ensure a speedy recovery, the player will be released from the Brazilian national team. No replacement player will be called up for the friendly match against India.”

Barcelona officials requested the player's early release to begin recovery ahead of upcoming domestic and continental fixtures. The Spanish club faces Getafe, Real Betis, and Real Madrid in La Liga, alongside Champions League matches against Galatasaray and Paris Saint-Germain.

Halftime substitution in Brisbane

Raphinha captained the national team and started as a central forward under manager Carlo Ancelotti during Tuesday's friendly at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The forward felt discomfort in his right thigh late in the first half but remained on the pitch to convert a penalty in the 45th minute after Harry Souttar fouled Danilo. Ancelotti chose to replace him at halftime, sending on Endrick for the second half.

Match turnaround and tour schedule

The 4-2 victory in Brisbane represented Brazil's first win since their round of 16 elimination by Norway at the 2026 World Cup. The team had opened their Australian tour on Friday, 25 September, with a 1-1 draw against Australia in Townsville. In Brisbane, Vanderson scored in the third minute to give Brazil an early lead before Alessandro Circati and Connor Metcalfe scored five minutes apart to put Australia ahead 2-1. Following Raphinha's penalty equalizer, Endrick set up Bruno Guimarães for a 69th-minute goal to restore the lead. Vinícius Júnior completed the scoring in the 80th minute with a penalty kick after a foul by Nestory Irankunda.

1. Sep 25, 2026Brazil draws 1-1 with Australia in Townsville
2. Sep 29, 2026Brazil defeats Australia 4-2 in Brisbane
3. Sep 30, 2026CBF releases Raphinha from the squad due to thigh edema
4. Oct 3, 2026Brazil plays India in Kolkata

Recurring thigh issues and season form

The muscle edema adds to a history of right leg muscular injuries for the Barcelona forward over the past year. In March, Raphinha sustained a right thigh injury during a friendly against France in Foxborough, which sidelined him for five weeks of club competition. He experienced another muscle problem in the same region during Brazil's World Cup group stage match against Haiti in Philadelphia in June. During the previous club campaign, fitness trouble restricted him to 33 appearances for Barcelona, including four games missed in April due to a hamstring injury suffered while on international duty. The injury arrives during an active start to the season, with Raphinha recording 15 goals in 10 matches for club and country.