​Barcelona star Raphinha has been ruled out of Brazil’s World Cup Round of 16 clash with Norway due to an ongoing muscle problem. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona attacker has not yet recovered enough to train at the same intensity as his teammates, leaving him unavailable for the Brazil vs. Norway match. Brazil’s camp has indicated that Raphinha is working on an individual rehabilitation plan as he tries to regain full fitness for the later stages of the tournament.
The injury occurred during Brazil’s second group stage game against Haiti, when the winger felt discomfort in the back of his right thigh and was forced off before halftime. The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed the issue and opted for a cautious rehabilitation approach. Since then, Raphinha has missed Brazil’s 3-0 win over Scotland and their 2-1 victory against Japan in the Round of 32.
Despite early hopes he could be fit for the Norway knockout, recent assessments have dashed those expectations. He reportedly completed just over 30 minutes of individual recovery work, which was not sufficient to clear him for competitive action. Although Brazil’s coach Carlo Ancelotti considered including him in the squad, the final medical evaluation confirmed he would sit out.
There remains cautious optimism that Raphinha could return if Brazil progresses to the quarterfinals. While not fully fit, the medical teams on both sides are prioritizing a careful recovery to avoid further injuries, given his history of muscle issues this year. Barcelona’s medical staff are closely coordinating with Brazil’s team to ensure a safe and timely return, with hopes for positive news ahead of the tournament’s final stages.