On April 30th, I published in this Sheet a column with this title: “Femoral biceps, a villain at the door of the World Cup”.
The text mentioned athletes who had complications in the hamstring muscle (recurrent injury in football) and who could not go to the World Cup in North America or were at risk due to this problem.
For example, striker Estêvão, 19, one of Brazil’s hopes for a sixth title, was not even called up.
This text of mine also mentioned another prominent athlete, a member of Carletto Ancelotti’s national team: the injury, with a high rate of recurrence (as explained by a specialist in orthopedics), raised concerns about Raphinha, 29.
There was distrust in the condition of the Barcelona athlete, who in the 2025/2026 season had suffered with the biceps femoris in his right thigh no less than three times, losing a lot of playing time due to the constant recovery work.
Unfortunately, the fear came true.
In the Brazilian team’s second match at this World Cup, the 3-0 victory against Haiti, Raphinha “felt” the same thigh. The CBF did not provide details about the incident, but the biggest suspicion is that the villain has reappeared.
Was it a “tragedy announced”? Not exactly. Nothing could happen to the player, there is no such predictability. But, given the recent physical condition of the number 11, when Ancelotti called him up he decided to take the risk. It could go wrong. It gave.
It is not yet known how long Raphinha will be out this time, but it is unlikely that he will return before 10 to 15 days, in an optimistic prognosis. I would return, if Brazil gets there, from the round of 16 onwards. For the pessimist, he is out of the World Cup.
As the competition has already started, it is no longer possible to change an injured player. In other words, Ancelotti will certainly have to replace Raphinha against Scotland and, with Brazil qualifying for the 32-team stage (a draw is enough and even a defeat could do), in the next match.
It remains to look at the positive side of Raphinha’s absence. He had not performed well in his debut, 1-1 against Morocco, and played an average game against Haiti until he was substituted, injured, near the end of the first half. Former Vasco player Rayan entered.
In this scenario, there is a possibility that Brazil will improve without him. To do this, the player chosen to join must fit properly into the scheme proposed by Carletto and shine with goals and assists.
Who will enter? It depends on how Ancelotti will put Brazil to play and what individual characteristics he wants to count on.
Speed and physical strength? Rayan, 19. Dribbling and creativity? Luiz Henrique, 25. Objectivity and eye for goal? Endrick, 19. Speed combined with more marking? Gabriel Martinelli, 25. Reference in the area and physical strength? Igor Thiago, 24.
Igor Thiago, who plays for England’s Brentford and is the only natural-born center forward in the team, seems to be the least rated, as, as a starter on his debut, he didn’t produce anything.
And there is also Neymar, 34, who, apparently recently (returned to training), becomes an option. However, due to the lack of rhythm, it should only be an option for the second half.
The popular outcry (and from sectors of the media) is for Endrick, but I am convinced that Carletto will not start with him. Rayan or Luiz Henrique are my bets.
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