In Brisbane, Brazil’s 4-2 friendly win over Australia brought a penalty goal and an unwelcome fitness concern for Barcelona captain Raphinha. The forward was withdrawn at half-time after feeling discomfort in his right thigh, leaving his situation uncertain as the international break moves on towards India.
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Raphinha started Brazil’s second match against Australia wearing the captain’s armband and operating as the side’s most advanced attacker, a role familiar from Barcelona. He converted a penalty at the end of the first half, his first goal for Brazil in around 18 months, but did not return after the interval.
Endrick replaced him for the second half. Brazil’s coaching staff made the change after the Barcelona player reported pain in the right thigh, although no diagnosis or projected absence has yet been announced.
The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed that the substitution was connected to the discomfort but has not set out its severity. There was initially no clarity over whether Raphinha would undergo tests in Brisbane or return directly to Barcelona, with the time difference complicating the immediate picture in Spain.
Images of the player leaving the stadium offered a measure of encouragement. Approached after the match and asked about his condition, Raphinha gave only a brief reply, but appeared relaxed and smiled. Barcelona, however, will wait for medical information before drawing conclusions.
The concern is understandable given his recent record with Brazil. In March 2026, he left a friendly against France with discomfort in the back of the same right thigh. Subsequent examinations confirmed a muscle injury and he was released from the squad. In June, during the World Cup match against Haiti, he again sustained a posterior right-thigh problem, though he remained with the group for intensive treatment.
Raphinha had completed Brazil’s previous 1-1 draw with Australia before being selected again from the start in Brisbane. His importance has grown sharply for both club and country: Carlo Ancelotti has treated him as a regular in Brazil’s plans, while Barcelona have relied heavily on a player who has registered 14 goals in eight appearances this season.
Brazil’s next stop: Kolkata
Ancelotti did not address Raphinha’s fitness in his post-match press conference, nor did he say whether the attacker could feature in Brazil’s next friendly. Brazil are due to face India in Kolkata on Saturday, 3 October.
For Barcelona, the immediate issue is whether the Brisbane substitution was a precaution or the beginning of another spell of treatment. Until the extent of the thigh complaint is established, his involvement in the remainder of Brazil’s trip remains unresolved.
