Raphinha to miss Scotland vs. Brazil, Neymar ready for ’90 minutes’ – Carlo Ancelotti

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Barcelona forward Raphinha will miss his country’s final World Cup group-stage match against Scotland on Wednesday, but believes Neymar is able to play the full game if required.

Raphinha, 29, was forced off in the 40th minute of Brazil’s 4-0 group stage victory over Haiti on Friday. The former Leeds United winger posted on Instagram earlier on Tuesday that he will “do everything in my power to recover and return as soon as possible.”

“We’re thinking of nothing else but playing a good match with the best possible line-up; the same goes for the forwards,” Ancelotti said at a press conference on Tuesday, via Globo. “We have a clear idea of who will replace Raphinha; there’s no point worrying about cards.”

Though Ancelotti did not confirm who will replace Raphinha, the Italian namechecked Bournemouth winger Rayan — who replaced him in the latter stages of the first half against Haiti — as “playing well” and someone who has a “lot of potential.”

Neymar, meanwhile, has not featured in either of Brazil’s opening matches, with the 34-year-old dealing with a calf injury. Ancelotti said immediately after the Haiti game that he expected Neymar to be back for the Scotland match.

Neymar has not played for Brazil yet at this World Cup. (Mauro Pimentel / AFP via Getty Images)

“He is available, he trained very well this week,” Ancelotti. “He is fit and able and ready to play. We are very happy he is back. He is a high-quality player.

“He can play from half-time or the whole 90 minutes. He is very well, he worked very hard, so he is ready.

“His attitude is very good, he’s in good spirits, he’s a good player, a good teammate. He’s very serious and we want to get him back to playing as soon as possible. I’m very happy. He brings experience, knowledge — he is doing very well.”

On Endrick, who Brazil fans have been clamouring to start matches at the tournament, Ancelotti said: “Endrick can play every game, he can play the next game, and he can play at any time because he has the ability to play. The fans are really pushing Endrick, but tomorrow we also have Neymar. Will they support Neymar or Endrick? I think they’ll support both.”

Raphinha provided 21 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona during the 2025-26 season as Hansi Flick’s side won La Liga and the Copa del Rey. He missed two months between September and November due to a right hamstring injury, and was sidelined again between March and May with another right hamstring problem.

Brazil are top of Group C after drawing with Morocco and beating Haiti in their opening two World Cup matches. Ancelotti’s side conclude their group-stage campaign against Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday.

Analysis from Jack Lang

Sure, Raphinha has struggled with injuries recently, missing 18 games across three different spells for Barcelona last season. He has also flattered to deceive at World Cups: this was his seventh tournament appearance and he has yet to score or set up a goal. His quality, though, is beyond debate, as is his ability to set the tone with his running.

If Raphinha isn’t fit, Ancelotti has a couple of options. One is the one he went for here: Rayan, the Bournemouth winger. The teenager has made a positive impression since his Brazil debut in March but did not, in truth, have much of an impact on the night. That may open space for Luiz Henrique, a player of a similar profile but one who has been a member of Ancelotti’s squad since the get-go.

Both players are wriggly, elusive dribblers. Raphinha’s intensity and work-rate would be sorely missed, however.