Raphinha's World Cup experience was cut short due to a suspected hamstring injury. This occurred during Brazil's Group C match against Haiti on June 19. In the 40th minute, with Brazil leading 2-0 thanks to two goals from Matheus Cunha, Raphinha had to leave the pitch, raising concerns about his fitness.
This situation mirrors a recurring pattern for Raphinha, who sustained a right hamstring injury in March during a friendly with France that sidelined him for about five weeks. That absence hindered Barcelona's performance in key Champions League matches, leaving them without one of their primary attacking players.
Throughout the 2025/26 season, Raphinha has faced several lower-body muscle injuries, with hamstring problems being particularly troublesome.
Despite the incident, there has been no official update on the severity of this latest injury or estimated recovery time.
What implications does this injury have for Barcelona and Raphinha’s future? At 29 years old, Raphinha finds himself at a career juncture where recurring muscle injuries can lead to deeper concerns rather than simply reflecting bad luck.
The five-week recovery period following his March injury serves as an approximate marker for this incident as well. If it is similar in severity, Raphinha may miss the remainder of the group stage and potentially the initial knockout rounds. A more serious injury could end his World Cup early.
Barcelona’s medical team will be keenly monitoring Raphinha's situation. If he returns home from the World Cup carrying another significant hamstring injury, discussions about managing his playing time next season will be inevitable. His ability to deliver on the field must now be balanced with his physical resilience.