Paquetá has New Jersey tests, doubt for next Copa do Brasil round | OneFootball

Paquetá left the field during Brazil vs. Japan with thigh pain

Brazil’s qualification for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup brought mixed feelings. While Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal secured progress in the tournament against Japan, the early exit of Lucas Paquetá caused concern. The midfielder, a Flamengo player, left the pitch at halftime of Monday’s (29) match after feeling discomfort in the back of his left thigh.

WHAT IS PAQUETÁ’S CURRENT MEDICAL SITUATION?

The situation requires immediate caution from Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff. Paquetá was substituted right at the end of the first half.

The image of Brazil’s number 20 leaving the field limping, supported by Neymar and Endrick, heightened the alert over the player’s physical condition. During the opening moments of the match against the Japanese side, Paquetá took a knock to the area, which worsened the discomfort he felt afterward.

WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM TUESDAY’S TESTS?

The decision on Lucas Paquetá’s continuation in the World Cup depends entirely on the clinical evaluation. The player will undergo imaging tests this Tuesday (30) in New Jersey.

These tests will reveal the exact severity of the discomfort in his left thigh. Until the official results are released, the midfielder’s presence in the round-of-16 match remains uncertain.

It is worth noting that Brazil is waiting for the outcome of the match between Norway and Ivory Coast to learn its next opponent, in a match scheduled for next Sunday (05).

IS THERE CONCERN BECAUSE OF A PREVIOUS INJURY?

His recent history raises a warning sign regarding Lucas Paquetá’s muscles. That is because, in April this year, swelling in the tendon of his left thigh kept the midfielder off the field for nearly a month.

The recovery required him to be sidelined from Flamengo activities between April and May. As the current pain is in the same area, the Brazilian national team’s medical department is following a strict evaluation protocol before making any official statement about the recovery period.

Even amid the uncertainty, the message left by the midfielder on social media points to optimism: the focus remains on Brazil’s journey continuing until the end of the competition.

HOW ARE THE OTHER FLAMENGO PLAYERS DOING?

Monitoring of the club’s red-and-black representatives at the World Cup remains intense. Coluna do Fla is tracking the situation of all players available to Carlo Ancelotti on a daily basis.

In addition to Lucas Paquetá, Flamengo’s contingent in the national team includes Léo Pereira, Danilo and Alex Sandro. The trio remains available to the coach for the upcoming matches.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.