Raphinha has left the Brazil national team squad on Wednesday as a precaution due to swelling in his right thigh, the Brazilian football federation (CBF) said.
It is a huge letdown for all those fans in India who were waiting to watch the versatile player in action against India at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti and his men arrive in Calcutta on Thursday evening.
The 29-year-old was substituted at half-time during his side’s 4-2 friendly win over Australia on Tuesday, sparking concern in Barcelona-based media that they may be about to lose a key player to injury.
Raphinha was limited to 33 club appearances last season due to fitness issues and missed four games in April because of a hamstring problem in the same leg, which he also sustained while on international duty.
The CBF said in its statement that Raphinha had “a small muscle oedema” following a scan.
He will not be replaced.
Last Friday, manager Carlo Ancelotti had selected Raphinha to play the full match in a 1-1 draw with Australia, during which he assisted Rayan’s late equaliser.
Raphinha has been in fine form this season, scoring 14 goals and providing three assists in his eight appearances for his club side. Barcelona are next in action on October 10, hosting Getafe in La Liga.
Vini gets support
Despite enduring a torrid start to the season, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr can still make a difference even when he is off his game and will return to his best form in time, Ancelotti said on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old showed flashes of his quality in Brazil’s victory in Brisbane on Tuesday, contributing to the third goal and converting a penalty for the fourth.
“I know Vini very well. To me, he is a key player for Brazil and he was a key player in my own footballing journey,” said Ancelotti, who also coached Vinicius when he was in charge of Real Madrid.
“He is a key player for the future. Is he at his best right now? No, he isn’t, but it is the start of the season. And Vini, always, even when he isn’t at his best, he can still make the difference, just as he did today.
“The goal that really opened up the game was thanks to him. So, I’m going to be very patient, because he deserves that patience.”
Rahim upbeat
For India forward Rahim Ali, the focus is on carrying forward the positives from the team’s performance against Panama last week. India held 44th-ranked Panama to a 1-1 draw in Bengaluru.
Rahim believes the display has given the players confidence, while also underlining the need to maintain consistency.
“Our performance against Panama was very good. The way the boys took on the workload individually was great for the players. We need to maintain this level of performance match by match. We are following the instructions and feedback provided by our coach, and we have to keep moving forward in the same way,” Ali said at the All India Football Federation’s National Centre of Excellence in Rajarhat on Wednesday.
Rahim feels India must approach Saturday’s international friendly with belief and commitment.
“We are playing against such a big team (Brazil), but once we step onto the field, it’s an 11-versus11 game.”