Find out who could replace Paquetá for Brazil against Norway

Find out who could replace Paquetá for Brazil against Norway Brazil’s national team has been handed a new medical and tactical challenge for the remainder of the 2026 World Cup. After leaving the pitch in severe pain during the 2-1 win over Japan, midfielder Lucas Paquetá was diagnosed with a muscle injury and has become the major doubt for Brazil’s next knockout match. Imaging tests carried out this Tuesday (30) in New Jersey confirmed the scenario the coaching staff had feared. The Flamengo midfielder suffered a muscle injury in the back of his left thigh. The issue arose in the final minutes of the first half of the match against Japan. Paquetá started limping and left the field at halftime in a lot of pain, needing support from Neymar and comfort from his teammates. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) released an official statement on the player’s condition: "Player Lucas Paquetá underwent imaging tests this Tuesday, which confirmed a muscle injury in the back of his left thigh. The player will follow an intensive treatment protocol, under the supervision of the Brazilian National Team’s medical staff, aiming for his recovery and return to activity as quickly as possible." According to reports from UOL and ESPN, the player’s expected recovery time is between 3 and 4 weeks. With the injury, Paquetá joined forward Raphinha in the national team’s medical department. Who could replace Paquetá? A starter in all four of Brazil’s World Cup matches so far, Paquetá is a key piece in Carlo Ancelotti’s system. His absence will force the Italian not only to make a personnel change, but possibly to adapt the team’s entire structure for the Round of 16 clash against Norway. The coaching staff is evaluating four main scenarios for the midfield: The Conservative Option (Danilo Santos): The Botafogo midfielder plays in the same area of the pitch. Although he has had limited minutes so far (coming on against Morocco, Haiti, and Japan), he is seen as the most natural replacement if Ancelotti wants to keep the tactical setup unchanged. The Touch of Genius (Neymar): Back from injury and regaining rhythm since the match against Scotland, the No. 10 would add maximum creativity and decisiveness to the attack. On the other hand, Brazil would inevitably lose the intensity in pressing and defensive tracking that are key features of Paquetá’s game. The Attacking Gamble (Endrick): He was Ancelotti’s immediate choice during the match against Japan. With the youngster coming on, Matheus Cunha dropped deeper to play farther from the box, like a midfielder, while Endrick moved centrally. This alternative leaves the team with four men up front, a shape the coach has tested since the start of his tenure. The Tactical Variation (Gabriel Martinelli): Scorer of the goal that sealed qualification to the Round of 16, the Arsenal forward performed a different role when he came on in the second half against Japan. He played through the middle, forming a partnership with Endrick, while leaving the wide channels to Vini Jr. and Rayan. The movement showed that Ancelotti trusts Martinelli to play in a more central role. The decision on who will take over the starting spot will take shape over the next few days of training in New Jersey, as the team tries to maintain the balance needed to advance to the quarterfinals. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.