Barcelona forward Raphinha has left Brazil’s squad as a precaution after scans revealed swelling in his right thigh.
The 29-year-old was withdrawn at half-time during Tuesday’s 4-2 friendly victory over Australia, prompting concern over his fitness.
The Brazilian Football Confederation said an examination had identified “a small muscle oedema”. He will miss Saturday’s friendly against India, with no replacement to be called up.
The setback comes after a difficult previous season in which fitness problems restricted Raphinha to 33 appearances for Barcelona. He missed four matches in April with a hamstring injury in the same leg, also sustained while on international duty.
Raphinha had played the full match in Brazil’s first friendly against Australia last Friday, providing the assist for Rayan’s late equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
His withdrawal interrupts an impressive start to the club season. The forward has scored 14 goals and supplied three assists in eight appearances for Barcelona.
The Spanish champions are next scheduled to face Getafe at home in La Liga on 10 October. The information released by Brazil did not specify a recovery timeframe or confirm whether Raphinha would be available for that fixture.
