Watch: This is how Raphinha left the mixed zone after discomfort during Australia vs Brazil | OneFootball

FC Barcelona and their fans are continuing to keep a close eye on any updates regarding Raphinha’s condition after the club captain was taken off at half-time during Brazil’s friendly against Australia in Brisbane.

The Brazilian international had started the match and scored one of his side’s goals from the penalty spot, but was unable to continue because of discomfort in his right thigh.

Brazil eventually won 4-2, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. getting on the scoresheet as well.

Walking normally

Raphinha’s substitution immediately raised concerns because of the location of the problem. It is the same area of the right thigh where he suffered his two most recent injuries, both during previous international breaks with Brazil.

One clip from after the match provides at least some indication of how he was feeling.

Raphinha was seen walking through the mixed zone alongside several teammates and appeared to be moving normally. There was no obvious sign of difficulty as he walked through the area.

That image alone cannot establish the extent of the discomfort or rule out an injury.

It does, however, show Raphinha moving normally after the friendly, having been withdrawn as a precaution and taking no further part in the second half.

Ancelotti remains tight-lipped

There was considerable interest in hearing from Carlo Ancelotti after Brazil’s second friendly against Australia.

The Selecao coach, however, provided no update on Raphinha during his post-match press conference.

Raphinha suffered the injury against Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The official information so far has come from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) during the match itself.

At half-time, the organisation revealed to journalists that Raphinha had been substituted because of “discomfort in his right thigh”, without providing further details about the nature or severity of the problem.

Barcelona must now wait for further information from Brazil. The CBF will assess Raphinha’s condition over the coming hours and determine whether further tests are required.

Those examinations should establish whether the issue is simply muscular discomfort or an overload, or whether there is an actual injury that could lead to him returning to Barcelona earlier than expected.

For now, Raphinha’s apparently normal walk through the mixed zone is one of the few indications available about his condition following the substitution.

Barcelona will have to wait for the medical assessment before drawing any conclusions.