Midfielder Lucas Paquetá is out of the Brazil national team’s upcoming World Cup matches due to a grade two muscle injury, and is racing against time to potentially return only for the final.
The Brazil national team‘s journey towards a sixth world title in the United States has suffered a major blow. Midfielder Lucas Paquetá, a fundamental piece in the team’s tactical setup and an undisputed starter during the group stage, sustained a left thigh muscle injury that rules him out of the upcoming rounds of the World Cup.
The number 20 felt intense pain in the final minutes of the first half of the victory against Japan in Houston. After imaging exams were performed, the diagnosis confirmed a grade two strain in the posterior muscle, with an estimated recovery time of around one month.
Paquetá’s World Cup Future
Although the CBF maintains a cautious stance and has not completely ruled out the player — holding a remote hope of having him available on the bench for a potential final on July 19 — the reality is that the athlete is not fit for the upcoming knockout stages.
The player expressed a strong desire to remain with the group in the U.S., and the coaching staff, in alignment with Flamengo, has set a rigorous recovery schedule.
“The treatment will be conducted under the care of the CBF, with intensive physiotherapy performed three times daily to try and accelerate the muscle healing process.”
The Challenge Without the Number 20
Paquetá‘s absence requires Brazil to readjust its creative midfield for the decisive clash against Norway. The match, valid for the Round of 16, is scheduled for next Sunday at 5 PM BRT, at the stadium located in New York and New Jersey.
The Brazilian squad remains focused and concentrated on the rest of the competition. While the medical department works tirelessly on the athlete’s recovery, the group aims to maintain balance to continue advancing and honor its commitment to the fans in the pursuit of the world title.
