Brazil's Raphinha vows to return at 2026 FIFA World Cup after new injury blow - 'I will do everything in my power'
Updated 24/06/2026 at 16:04 GMT+1
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Barcelona attacker Raphinha has said he will do "everything in his power” to play again at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after injuring his hamstring in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Haiti in Philadelphia on Saturday.
'He is fit and able' - Ancelotti drops Neymar return hint against Scotland for Brazil
Video credit: SNTV
The 29-year-old winger is set to miss Brazil’s final Group C encounter against Scotland, amid speculation that he is unlikely to feature for the Selecao until the round of 16 at the earliest.
"I always demand a lot from myself and work every day to improve - that will never change," Raphinha posted on social media.
"I will do everything within my power to recover and return as soon as possible.
”I want to be alongside my team-mates, fight for our goals, and keep giving everything I have to honour this shirt and bring joy to the Brazilian fans. I'm staying strong."
Raphinha has missed 24 games for club and country this term, having sustained four hamstring injuries in the past year.
The former Leeds United attacker was replaced by Bournemouth’s Rayan against Haiti, while Carlo Ancelotti also has Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli and returning superstar Neymar at his disposal.
Indeed, Neymar has not featured for Brazil since 2023, and has so far been kept out of this World Cup with a calf problem. However, the Santos star has successfully returned to training - and is available to face Scotland.
Asked about how Neymar was shaping up, Ancelotti said: "He is available, he trained very well this week, he is fit and able and ready to play. We are very happy that he is back, he is a high-quality player.
"He can play half the time or the whole 90 minutes. He is very well, he worked very, hard, so he is ready.
"His attitude is very good, he is in very good spirits, he's a good player and team-mate, he's very serious, and we want to put him back to play as soon as possible. He brings experience and knowledge. He is doing very well."
Ancelotti added that the five-time World Cup winners were taking nothing for granted in their final group game against Scotland.
"It will be a difficult game," Ancelotti conceded. "Scotland has quality, they are fighters, they are well organised.
"They have good players, [Scott] McTominay, [John] McGinn, that are experienced players. Easy games at the World Cup were finished a long time ago. We are ready to play a difficult game."
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