Raphinha smiles after being substituted; Gabriel Sans and Dias watch

In the mixed locker room at Brisbane stadium, the Barça forward responded with a broad smile when asked how he felt after being substituted in the Brazil‑Australia friendly. The scene, captured in a video shared on social media, showed Raphinha without any signs of pain, despite the discomfort he had felt in his right thigh during the first half.

Reason for the substitution

Raphinha scored a penalty at the end of the first half, contributing to Brazil's 2‑4 final. However, the discomfort in his right thigh forced the Brazilian manager, Carlo Ancelotti, to take him off at halftime and replace him with the Madrid player Endrick. The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed the substitution but did not provide details about the severity of the injury.

Reactions and context

After the victory, journalist Gabriel Sans approached Raphinha and asked the expected question: “How are you?”. The answer was brief, but the player’s smile conveyed more reassurance than his words. The subsequent footage showed no sign of concern, which fed uncertainty among Barcelona supporters.

The Catalan club has been visibly uneasy since the substitution, considering that Raphinha is Barcelona’s captain and a key piece for the team. Moreover, Ancelotti has listed the Brazilian as one of his untouchables, raising attention on his physical condition.

This is not the first episode of discomfort for Raphinha with the national team. In March 2026, he left a friendly against France due to a muscle injury in the back of his right thigh, and in June he suffered a similar injury against Haiti during the World Cup, requiring intensive treatment.

Brazil’s next fixture will be on Saturday, October 3, against India in Kolkata. So far, it has not been confirmed whether Raphinha will be able to play, and Barcelona remains awaiting an official statement that clarifies the extent of his muscle problems.