Brazil star Raphinha suffers fresh injury setback
Brazil winger Raphinha was forced off during the first half of his team's victory over Haiti on Monday in Philadelphia after appearing to suffer an injury to his right leg, News.Az reports, citing ESPN.
The Barcelona forward received medical attention on the pitch before being substituted.
Raphinha appeared emotional as he left the field and was comforted by teammate Gabriel Magalhães.
In a statement issued after the match, the Brazilian Football Confederation said: "Raphinha felt pain in his right hamstring during the first half of the match against Haiti. The player has begun treatment and will be re-evaluated. We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available."
Speaking after the game, teammate Vinicius Junior expressed concern over the injury.
"It's a shame that Rapha had to leave the game due to an injury. I think it's the same one he had last time. I hope it's not serious so he can stay with us," Vinicius said.
The Real Madrid forward was referring to the hamstring injury Raphinha suffered in late March while playing for Barcelona, an issue that kept him out of action for a month.
AFC Bournemouth teenager Rayan came on in place of Raphinha as Brazil went on to win the game 3-0 and take top spot in the group after drawing their first match against Morocco.
"We will evaluate Raphinha tomorrow," manager Carlo Ancelotti said after the game. "Right now we're not sure what happened.
"[I put Rayan in the game because] he has good qualities and he has a different profile than Raphinha. In the end, it's small details that determine who comes on and who doesn't."
Brazil is also dealing with an ongoing injury issue to Neymar, who was not included in the matchday squad for the second straight game as he continues to rehabilitate a knock to his right calf.
"Neymar will train tomorrow on his own and then we'll integrate him in the team and he will be available for Scotland," Ancelotti added.
By Nijat Babayev
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