World Cup
Raphinha suffers hamstring tear, World Cup exit likely
Brazilian winger Raphinha suffered a hamstring tear in the 40th minute of Brazil’s 3‑0 win over Haiti in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, putting his tournament participation in doubt and raising fresh questions about his future at Barcelona.
His problems began in September with a hamstring injury against Real Oviedo, and he was expected to return for El Clasico at the Bernabeu before relapsing days before the match; Hansi Flick later admitted the club had rushed his recovery.
Raphinha finally returned in late November against Chelsea after two months out, only to pick up another muscular injury at the end of January; he came back in February but suffered a further setback in March while on international duty, forcing him to miss the decisive stages of the Champions League.
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Despite the interruptions, he logged 33 appearances this season, scoring 21 goals and providing seven assists. Interest from Saudi Arabia continues to grow, with the country's financial power prompting speculation that the Barcelona winger may face a career‑defining decision between staying in Catalonia or moving abroad.Spain crush Saudi Arabia with four goals to revive World Cup hopes
An official statement is still awaited, adding concern for both Brazil and Barcelona as they assess the impact of his likely World Cup exit. The accompanying photo was taken by Kevin C. Cox, as credited by Getty Images.