Lucas Paqueta’s World Cup appears to be over after he was diagnosed with a grade two hamstring tear.
The Flamengo midfielder left at half-time during Brazil’s 2-1 last 32 win over Japan.
He was replaced by Endrick, who turned the game on its head, but Ancelotti is still a huge fan of Paqueta, starting him in all four matches so far.
Paqueta out of the World Cup
However, upon returning to the team’s base, he underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with the tear which has a recovery time of a minimum of one month.
O Globo say he’s ‘practically’ out of the World Cup, as he still might be named as an injured bench option if Brazil make the final.
Yet there is ‘no optimism’ that Paqueta will play again among the squad and football federation [CBF].
Despite the gloomy prognosis, Paqueta will stay with the team in America.
Brazil reportedly contacted Flamengo to inform them of the injury, but they granted the player’s wish to stay and support his teammates.
He will now undergo three physiotherapy sessions per day to try and accelerate his recovery.
Raphinha injury update
On top of Paqueta, Brazil will also be without Raphinha in the last 16 against Norway.
The Barcelona forward was injured against Haiti in the group stage, aggravating an injury that dogged his club season.
However, despite fears his tournament was over, Raphinha could return against Norway.
The forward returned to training for the first time since the hamstring injury on Tuesday.
First in trainers and then boots, Raphinha will be monitored again on Thursday, and could well be in the squad for the weekend.
Who will replace Paqueta for Brazil?
Botafogo’s Danilo Santos is the most likely replacement for Paqueta, but Ancelotti will assess things during training this week.
Fabinho, Ederson, Neymar, Martinelli, and Endrick are also possibilities.
Santos had been tested in the position alongside Bruno Guimaraes and is seen as the most likely option to continue the 4-3-3.
However, should Ancelotti want to be more defensive, Fabinho and Ederson could join Casemiro in a 4-2-3-1, but that would put the entire playmaking load on Bruno.
Another alternative, as was the case against Japan, is that Matheus Cunha drops back into midfield.
The Manchester United man took up more defensive duties, and was replaced by Endrick as a forward.
However, for now Santos looks like the most likely option.
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