Raphinha's Recovery Progress as Brazil Faces World Cup Decisions

Brazil’s World Cup camp in New Jersey finally had the sight it wanted on Tuesday: Raphinha back on the grass, ball at his feet, alone but very much in the fight to make the knockout rounds.

The Barcelona winger completed his first individual session on the pitch since suffering a right thigh injury that ruled him out of the group stage. It was a modest step in pure football terms, but a significant one in the context of a tournament he feared might pass him by.

While the rest of the squad enjoyed a scheduled break until Wednesday afternoon, the 29-year-old stayed behind at the training base, grinding through an intensive rehabilitation programme with the Selecao medical staff. No cameras, no crowd, just a player trying to race the calendar.

Brazil, though, are determined not to let emotion dictate the next move.

The coaching staff, mindful of his recent history, are ready to slow the pace if needed. This is already the fifth time in the 2025-26 season that Raphinha has suffered a problem in the same area, having missed spells for both Barcelona and Brazil with recurring muscular issues. One wrong step now and the World Cup could be gone for good.

His latest injury struck during the 3-0 win over Haiti in Philadelphia, a comfortable scoreline that came at a cost. Raphinha left in the first half, clearly shaken, fearing the worst. The eventual diagnosis of a muscle strain rather than a full tear kept his tournament alive, but only on strict medical terms: no shortcuts, no heroics before the leg is ready.

That caution has only grown with fresh concerns elsewhere. Lucas Paqueta is now also in treatment for a thigh problem picked up against Japan, adding another layer of risk to any decision on Raphinha. With one key midfielder already compromised, the staff know they cannot afford to lose a starting winger to a rushed comeback.

Inside the camp, there is quiet confidence they can handle the round of 16 without forcing the issue. ESPN reports that while Raphinha’s progress is encouraging, he remains doubtful for the looming clash with Norway. The medical team are tracking his data day by day, and Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave the final call as late as possible — not just on whether he starts, but whether he makes the matchday squad at all.

If there is any hesitation, the plan is clear: protect him for a potential quarter-final, should Brazil get there.

Rayan’s emergence has helped steady those nerves. The young attacker has stepped into the starting XI in Raphinha’s absence, offering a different profile on the flank within Ancelotti’s system. Less like-for-like replacement, more tactical twist — and enough, so far, to convince the staff that depth will carry them through the immediate hurdle.

For now, the image that matters is not a goal or an assist, but a solitary figure in New Jersey, working through sprints and touches, testing a fragile muscle that has betrayed him too often this season.

Brazil can push. Raphinha clearly wants to. The real question is whether they dare to risk a short-term boost at the expense of the business end of the World Cup, where they expect — and demand — to still be standing.