Raphinha’s Wife Natalia Belloli Reveals Tearful Phone Call After Brazil Star’s World Cup Hamstring Injury

Natalia Belloli, wife of Brazil and Barcelona winger Raphinha, has spoken candidly about the distressing moments that followed her husband’s hamstring injury during Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match against Haiti, revealing the depth of emotion both experienced in the hours after he was forced off the pitch.

Brazil secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Haiti, but the result was quickly overshadowed by concern over Raphinha’s fitness after the 29-year-old limped out of the contest with a hamstring problem. The injury prompted an immediate medical assessment before Raphinha was permitted a brief visit with his family.

Speaking on the Brazilian television programme Domingao com Huck, Belloli offered a frank account of the phone call that followed. “Honestly, it was one of the first times I was speechless. He was crying, and so was I,” she recounted. “We spoke on the phone; the next day he underwent medical tests and came home for a while, where we were able to talk about the situation.”

Despite the initial distress, Belloli indicated that both she and Raphinha had since found a more grounded outlook. “Now he’s doing well, strong and sure of his purpose. That’s what matters: maintaining the right mindset and believing that better days are coming,” she said.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed that Raphinha will not be sent home from the tournament. Instead, he will remain integrated within the squad and follow an intensive rehabilitation programme. According to reports, medical staff will proceed cautiously, with any potential return to action contingent on Brazil progressing deep into the knockout rounds.

Raphinha has been one of Brazil’s most influential attacking players in recent seasons. At club level, he enjoyed an outstanding 2024-25 campaign with Barcelona, registering 26 goals and 18 assists across all competitions — figures that cemented his status as one of Europe’s most productive wide forwards and made his injury at the World Cup particularly significant for the Selecao’s prospects.

Brazil’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, carries enormous weight for a nation that has not won the tournament since 2002. Losing a key attacking player of Raphinha’s calibre to injury at the group stage represents a considerable concern for head coach Dorival Junior, even as the squad demonstrated their quality in the win over Haiti.

The situation will continue to be monitored by both the CBF’s medical team and observers tracking Brazil’s progression through the competition. The timeline for any potential return to fitness remains unclear, with the medical staff expected to make a definitive assessment as the knockout phase approaches.