Raphinha ruled out of India’s clash with Brazil, flies back to Barcelona with minor injury

The first ever senior international meeting between the Indian seniors and Brazil has lost one of its biggest attractions, Raphinha will miss the October 3 friendly in Kolkata. The Barcelona striker was dropped from the Brazil squad after picking up a minor thigh problem in the team’s 4-2 win over Australia.

Raphinh’s problem came to light 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and scored from the penalty spot, but did not return after the break, with Brazil later confirming that he would be withdrawn from the squad as a precaution.

The Brazilian Football Confederation said an imaging scan carried out on Wednesday showed a small amount of muscle edema in the back of Raphinh’s right thigh. Reports described the problem as minor, but with the player having previously dealt with problems in the same area, Brazil decided not to risk it and will head back to Barcelona for treatment. No substitution is called for the match against India.

Brazil are expected in Kolkata on October 1 for a much-anticipated match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Raphinha’s absence will be a disappointment for Indian fans, but Carlo Ancelotti’s squad is still without Vinicius Junior, Endrick, Bruno Guimaraes and Marquinhos for the match, which will mark the first international meeting between India and Brazil.

HOW RAPHINHA GOT INJURED

Raphinh’s injury came on a night when Brazil claimed their first win of this international window. After being held to a 1-1 draw by Australia in their opening friendly, Ancelotti’s side responded with a 4-2 win in Brisbane.

Even in the second match, Brazil did not have everything their way. Vanderson put them in front before Australia turned the game around, but a Raphinha 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 games against Australia provided an early opportunity to assess his squad and combinations after the World Cup. The Italian also have Vinicius Junior as one of their key attacking players and the striker followed up a strong second-half performance 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 team after a 1-1 draw against Panama.

INDIA’S BIGGEST TEST AWAITS

India have already completed the first leg of their three-match campaign against their World Cup opponents. Khalid Jamil’s side held Panama to a 1-1 draw in Bengaluru 26 September when Ryan Williams gave the hosts the lead before Omar Valencia restored parity in the second half.

The result gave India a positive start to a challenging international window, but the challenge now rises significantly. Brazil will be 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 footballing nations in the space of three days.

Brazil’s game was always about more than one player and Raphinh’s withdrawal did little to change the scale of the challenge facing India. Vinicius Junior remains the main threat, while Endrick, Bruno Guimaraes and Marquinhos give Ancelotti plenty of experience at the elite level.

For Indian football, this occasion remains a landmark. The Blue Tigers will take on Brazil for the first time at senior international level before taking on Uruguay three days later. Raphinha will not be part of the historic night, but the focus at the Salt Lake Stadium will remain firmly on the Brazilian side as they look to build momentum under Ancelotti.

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