Raphinha walked off the pitch in the 40th minute of Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Haiti on June 19, clutching his right hamstring. The Barcelona winger believes the issue is minor, but medical tests scheduled for June 20 will determine whether optimism or a longer absence is warranted.
What happened and why it matters
Raphinha pulled up before halftime with what early assessments suggest could be a minor strain rather than a complete tear. A minor strain might mean days on the sideline. A tear could mean weeks or longer.
For Barcelona, the calculus is even more uncomfortable. Raphinha missed five weeks earlier this season after suffering a similar hamstring injury in March 2026. That previous absence was long enough to disrupt his rhythm and force the club to reshuffle its attacking lineup during a critical stretch of the La Liga season.
The crypto and NFT angle
