Raphinha injury update: Barcelona star returns to training, still not sure to play against Norway

Brazil had good news ahead of their World Cup round of 16 match against Norway when Raphinha returned to practice on the field for the first time since suffering her latest injury. However, this player's ability to play in Sunday's match is still open. According to information from SPORT, the Brazilian international is recovering on schedule, but the coaching staff does not want to risk one of their key attacking players.

The latest injury update says Raphinha is progressing well after suffering a muscle problem in Brazil's group stage match with Haiti. The 29-year-old had to leave the field in the first half of that match and was later diagnosed with a type 1 strain in his right hamstring, an area that has troubled him throughout the season. Initial predictions said the player would have to rest for about two weeks, making him unable to participate in Brazil's next two matches at the World Cup.

This prediction was correct when Raphinha was unable to participate in the 3-0 win over Scotland and the dramatic 2-1 win over Japan in the round of 32. Since his injury, the Barcelona attacker has been closely monitored by the Brazilian medical team. While the team was on the road for the last two matches, Raphinha stayed in New Jersey, where he attended three individual recovery sessions a day.


The return to on-field training marks an important stage in Raphinha's recovery as he enters the final stages before being allowed to fully train with the rest of the squad. Despite the positive signs, Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti and the coaching staff are determined not to rush in bringing the player back.

Ancelotti is expected to further assess Raphinha's condition in training on Thursday, which could determine whether the player's injury has improved enough for him to play against Norway. Brazil want to avoid aggravating the problem, especially considering Raphinha's recent history with hamstring problems.

Notably, while there are optimistic signs about the player's recovery, reports from Brazil suggest that Raphinha may still not be available for the round of 16 match. These reports indicate that his return date could be pushed back until the quarter-finals, which could take place on July 11. This would be another setback for the winger, who has become a vital figure for both club and country over the past year.

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