‘He was crying and so was I’: Brazil star’s World Cup injury blow — and what it means for England

Brazil suffered a major blow at the 2026 World Cup when Raphinha was forced off with a hamstring injury during the 3-0 win over Haiti. His wife, Natalia Belloli, has revealed the emotional phone call that followed — ‘He was crying and so was I’ — and for England, watching one of their title rivals lose a key man reshapes the race.

How Raphinha picked up his hamstring injury

Raphinha was forced off in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Haiti after suffering a hamstring injury. The Barcelona forward had been one of the Seleção’s attacking leaders, and his absence forces the head coach to reshape Brazil’s front line.

Brazil’s medical staff are monitoring his recovery day by day. Hamstring strains typically require two to four weeks of rest, putting his involvement in the knockout rounds in doubt.

The emotional call his wife revealed

Natalia Belloli, Raphinha’s wife, shared the player’s reaction after the diagnosis: ‘He was crying and so was I.’ Her words underline just how much a World Cup means to a player at the peak of his career.

The Brazilian is holding on to hope of returning before the tournament ends. Everything will depend on how the injury settles and how far Brazil progress in the coming days.

What it means for England’s title hopes

For Thomas Tuchel’s England, Brazil remain one of the biggest threats to the trophy. A weakened Brazil attack shifts the balance among the favourites and changes the calculation around a potential knockout clash with the Three Lions.

England must stay focused on their own path, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading the charge through the group stage. In a 48-team format, managing fitness and momentum will be just as decisive as raw quality.

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