Brazil continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup with an Asian tour featuring friendly matches against South Korea and Japan. One of the main surprises in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad is the absence of star winger Raphinha.

The reason Raphinha won’t be available for the upcoming friendlies is that he suffered a hamstring injury in the middle third of his right thigh while playing for Barcelona against Real Oviedo.

According to Barcelona’s medical staff, the Brazilian is expected to be sidelined for around three weeks. He has already missed the games against PSG in the Champions League and Sevilla in LaLiga, and he will also sit out Brazil’s friendlies against South Korea and Japan, as well as Barcelona’s match against Girona on October 18.

Raphinha is not the only key player missing

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