Barcelona breathe easy as Ancelotti spares Raphinha after Brazil exit

Barcelona are relieved that Carlo Ancelotti chose not to field Raphinha in Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup loss to Norway, avoiding a risky return for the winger after a recent muscle injury. The decision protects his rehabilitation and prevents a potential relapse before the club’s pre‑season. Brazil’s tournament ended on Sunday with a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16, eliminating the Seleçao from the World Cup. The loss confirmed Brazil’s early exit from the competition. Raphinha suffered a tear in the biceps femoris of his right leg during Brazil’s second group‑stage match against Haiti. The injury kept him out for the remainder of the tournament and had previously forced him to miss this season’s first Clasico after two separate relapses.

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Barcelona monitored the winger’s rehabilitation closely, aware of the high risk associated with his muscle injury. Brazilian Football Confederation medical staff declared him fit fifteen days after the tear, but the club believed he still required roughly two more weeks before a safe return. Carlo Ancelotti kept Raphinha on the bench throughout the Norway match, even when Brazil trailed 2-0 with ten minutes remaining. Ancelotti resisted the temptation to introduce the recently recovered winger, opting not to gamble on his fitness.

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Inside Barcelona, the decision was welcomed as it avoided a possible relapse that could have led to a more serious injury. Club officials felt that forcing Raphinha back under those conditions would have carried unpredictable consequences. With Brazil eliminated, Raphinha now has more than three weeks before returning to Barcelona. He is expected to travel with the squad to the pre‑season training camp in England on 27 July, giving him sufficient time to complete his recovery.