Barça and Brazil midfielder Rafinha out of the Copa America

Rafinha will miss the Copa America. The Brazilian midfielder has not recovered from the muscle pains that have been plaguing him since the final of the Copa del Rey and is set to return to Barcelona after spending the last few days with the Brazil national team in the United States. 

Brazil boss Dunga had described the midfielder’s situation as “delicate” on Saturday. “We’re doing everything we can to make sure he stays with us, but it’s going to depend on the evolution of the injury in the coming days,” he said. 

The national team coach said at that point that Rafinha would not play Sunday’s friendly against Panama in Denver, nor would he train on Monday. In the end, his worst fears have been confirmed and the “muscle problems” will leave the 23-year-old out of the Copa America. 

It should be pointed out he has also been included in the Brazil squad for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. It’s expected he will be ready to take part in that tournament in August, with Neymar also set to feature for his country.