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What will Ancelotti do?
Barcelona star Brazilian winger Rafinha suffered an injury that forced him off the field in the 39th minute of their 2026 World Cup Group C second-round match against Haiti in yet another setback for the Catalan club.
The Barcelona man looked uncomfortable after one of the first half and asked to be substituted shortly afterwards, but left the pitch in pain and was replaced by Ryan Vitor, a player whose condition is being closely monitored by Barcelona sporting director Deco.
According to Catalan Sport, all indications are that the injury is muscular, especially since the Barcelona striker has been under the supervision of Brazil’s technical staff all week as he trained separately from the squad as a precaution to manage his physicality after the opening game against Morocco.
This precaution was prompted by slight discomfort and signs of fatigue, common at such a difficult stage late in the season, prompting Brazil to manage its playing time carefully ahead of the game.
Before his early exit, Rafinha was one of the standout players of the first half as he dazzled everyone with some dangerous runs and scored a goal that was disallowed for offside. He also had a clear solo chance that would have opened the scoring had it not been wasted.
This is not the first serious physical setback that Rafinha has faced this season. The Brazilian has had several muscle problems throughout the season with Barcelona, especially of late, which has resulted in him missing a number of important matches with the Catalan club.
The injury is a painful blow for a Brazil team that relies heavily on Rafinha’s speed and creativity on the left wing. It is also causing great concern for Barcelona, who are eagerly awaiting an official medical report to determine the seriousness of the injury and possible length of absence.
