A serious left thigh injury has left Lucas Paqueta in danger of missing the rest of Brazil's World Cup campaign, although the midfielder and the national team's medical staff are still hoping for a remarkable recovery.
Rather than sending Paqueta home, Brazil have decided to keep him with the squad in the United States while he undergoes intensive treatment as the team's progress depends on Sunday's Round of 16 clash against Norway, reports Brazilian outlet Globo.
The grade two muscle injury is expected to require around a month of recovery. However, Brazil's medical department aims to cut that period in half in the hope of making him available for a potential semifinal.
The priority is to have the No. 20 fit for the final if Brazil reach the tournament's showpiece. Even so, according to Globo, both the national team and Flamengo acknowledge that such a recovery remains highly unlikely.
Paqueta will undergo physiotherapy sessions up to three times a day over the coming days. Should Brazil reach the quarterfinals, the treatment programme will become even more intensive.
If Brazil are eliminated, the midfielder will return to Flamengo to continue his rehabilitation. The club has made clear it will not interfere with the national team's current plans.
Paqueta left the field against Japan visibly distressed, but was smiling as he departed the stadium while awaiting scan results. After learning the diagnosis, he shared a message on social media expressing faith and determination.
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair... Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything... Let's go together until the end. Go Brazil," he wrote.
Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) release a statement on Paqueta’s injury, which read, “Paqueta underwent scans on Tuesday that confirmed a muscle injury to the back of his left thigh. The player will undergo an intensive treatment programme under the supervision of the national team’s medical staff, with the aim of recovering and returning to action as soon as possible”.