Italian Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of the Brazilian national team, revealed the latest developments regarding the physical condition of the star Rafinha, before the expected confrontation against the Norway national team, on Sunday evening, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the New York/New Jersey stadium.
Ancelotti explained that Rafinha has made remarkable progress in the recovery process, stressing that the player has not yet reached full readiness, but he may be ready. He is on the list of substitutes in the match, with the possibility of relying on him for some minutes if the course of the match requires it.
The Italian coach added that Rafinha’s recovery came at a faster pace than expected, expressing his happiness with the development that the player showed during the last period, stressing that his presence represents a great addition to the Brazilian national team due to his importance within the team.
Rafinha had suffered an injury to the posterior muscle of the right thigh during the confrontation with Haiti in the second round. From the group stage, which kept him out of the matches against Scotland and Japan, before he underwent an intensive treatment and rehabilitation program over the past two weeks.
According to identical press reports, the Brazilian team’s medical staff aims to fully prepare Rafinha to participate in the quarter-finals, if the Seleção team succeeds in overcoming the Norway obstacle and securing the qualification ticket to the next round.