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India’s first-ever senior international meeting with Brazil has lost one of its biggest attractions, with Raphinha set to miss the October 3 friendly in Kolkata. The Barcelona forward has been released from the Brazil squad after picking up a minor thigh issue during the team’s 4-2 win over Australia.
Raphinha’s problem surfaced during Brazil’s second meeting with Australia in Brisbane on Tuesday. He played the opening 45 minutes and scored from the penalty spot, but did not return after the interval, with Brazil later confirming that he would be withdrawn from the squad as a precaution.
The Brazilian Football Confederation said an imaging examination conducted on Wednesday showed a small amount of muscle oedema in the back of Raphinha’s right thigh. Reports have described the problem as minor, but with the player having previously dealt with issues in the same area, Brazil have chosen not to risk him and he will head back to Barcelona for treatment. No replacement is being called up for the India game.
Brazil are expected in Kolkata on October 1 for the much-anticipated fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Raphinha’s absence will be a disappointment for Indian fans, but Carlo Ancelotti’s squad still includes Vinicius Junior, Endrick, Bruno Guimaraes and Marquinhos for a match that will mark the first senior international clash between India and Brazil.
HOW DID RAPHINHA GET INJURED
Raphinha’s injury came on a night when Brazil produced their first victory of this international window. After being held to a 1-1 draw by Australia in the opening friendly, Ancelotti’s team responded with a 4-2 win in Brisbane.
Brazil did not have everything their own way in the second game either. Vanderson put them ahead before Australia turned the contest around, but Raphinha’s penalty brought the visitors level before half-time. Bruno Guimaraes then restored Brazil’s advantage after the break, with Vinicius Junior adding another from the spot to seal the win.
For Ancelotti, the two matches against Australia have provided an early opportunity to assess his squad and combinations after the World Cup. The Italian also has Vinicius Junior as one of his key attacking players, and the forward followed up a strong second-half display against Australia with a goal and an assist.
Brazil will now turn their attention to Kolkata, where the five-time world champions will face an Indian side coming off a 1-1 draw against Panama.
INDIA’S BIGGEST TEST AWAITS
India have already completed the first part of their three-match run against World Cup opposition. Khalid Jamil’s team held Panama to a 1-1 draw in Bengaluru on September 26, with Ryan Williams giving the hosts the lead before Omar Valencia restored parity in the second half.
The result gave India a positive start to a demanding international window, but the challenge now rises considerably. Brazil are next on October 3, followed by Uruguay at the Salt Lake Stadium on October 6, meaning Jamil’s side will face two of South America’s biggest football nations within three days.
The Brazil game was always going to be about more than one player, and Raphinha’s withdrawal does little to change the scale of the challenge facing India. Vinicius Junior remains a major threat, while Endrick, Bruno Guimaraes and Marquinhos give Ancelotti plenty of elite-level experience.
For Indian football, the occasion remains a landmark one. The Blue Tigers will walk out against Brazil for the first time at senior international level, before turning around to face Uruguay three days later. Raphinha will not be part of that historic night, but the spotlight at the Salt Lake Stadium will remain firmly on a Brazil side looking to build momentum under Ancelotti.
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