Brazil's national team faces a significant midfield challenge heading into their World Cup Round of 16 match against Norway on July 6th, as attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta has suffered a muscle injury to the back of his left thigh during their victory over Japan, following the earlier loss of Raphinha to a similar thigh injury. While the Brazilian FA has confirmed Paqueta's injury and initiated an intensive treatment protocol, no recovery timeline has been provided, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming fixture, though coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed hope for his swift return. This situation, however, potentially creates an opportunity for Neymar to feature more centrally in an attacking midfield role, a position he has played effectively in the past.

Brazil's national team faces a significant midfield challenge heading into their World Cup Round of 16 match against Norway on July 6th, as attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta has suffered a muscle injury to the back of his left thigh during their victory over Japan, following the earlier loss of Raphinha to a similar thigh injury. While the Brazilian FA has confirmed Paqueta's injury and initiated an intensive treatment protocol, no recovery timeline has been provided, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming fixture, though coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed hope for his swift return. This situation, however, potentially creates an opportunity for Neymar to feature more centrally in an attacking midfield role, a position he has played effectively in the past.

Brazil's national team faces a significant midfield challenge heading into their World Cup Round of 16 match against Norway on July 6th, as attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta has suffered a muscle injury to the back of his left thigh during their victory over Japan, following the earlier loss of Raphinha to a similar thigh injury. While the Brazilian FA has confirmed Paqueta's injury and initiated an intensive treatment protocol, no recovery timeline has been provided, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming fixture, though coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed hope for his swift return. This situation, however, potentially creates an opportunity for Neymar to feature more centrally in an attacking midfield role, a position he has played effectively in the past.

Carlo Ancelotti will have to make some tactical adjustments in Brazil’s midfield ahead of the Round of 16 match against Erling Haaland’s Norway on July 6. After losing Raphinha, the five-time champions are now without Lucas Paqueta, who was subbed off due to an injury in the match against Japan.

Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta suffered a muscle injury to the back of his left thigh during their 2-1 victory over Japan in the World Cup Round of 32 on Monday, the Brazilian FA (CBF) said on Tuesday. The CBF, however, did not provide a timeline for Paqueta's recovery, leaving uncertainty over the former West Ham United star’s availability for Brazil's next match.

The attacking midfielder is facing a problem in the back of his left thigh, an area where he has felt pain since the beginning of the first half. According to the CBF, he will follow an intensive treatment protocol, monitored by the national team's medical staff—a procedure similar to that of Raphinha, who was injured in the match against Haiti.

"Brazilian athlete Lucas Paqueta underwent an imaging exam on Tuesday that confirmed a muscle injury in the back of his left thigh.

The player will follow an intensive treatment protocol, monitored by the Brazilian National Team's medical staff, aiming for his recovery and return to activities as quickly as possible," the official statement said.

Time for Neymar's re-entry?

Raphinha, meanwhile, is facing a problem in his right thigh. He was not dropped from the squad and is undergoing treatment in the hope that he will be fit in time for the quarter-finals. By that logic, Brazil should be hopeful that Paqueta will be available for the semi-final, should they advance. "We are all hoping that Paqueta recovers in time," Ancelotti stated in a press conference. The statement comes amidst some media claiming that Paqueta’s campaign is all but over.

Danilo Santos, who performed well in the pre-World Cup friendlies and therefore earned a place in the final squad, could well start against Norway.

However, Paqueta's injury also opens up some space for Neymar, who, despite having come on as a left-sided attacker against Scotland, given his heat map in that match, plays more centrally for Santos and is able to perform the functions of an attacking midfielder.

TAGS