KEY POINTS
- Raphinha sustained a hamstring injury while playing for Brazil against France.
- The Barcelona attacker will miss both legs of the Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid.
- Medical staff estimate a five-week recovery period for the Brazilian international.
Barcelona faces a significant setback in their European campaign following news of Raphinha’s latest injury. The Brazilian winger suffered a right hamstring strain during an international friendly on Thursday. He left the field at halftime during Brazil’s 2-1 loss to France in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The Catalan club released an official statement on Friday confirming the severity of the muscle damage. Medical tests carried out by the Brazilian Football Confederation first identified the issue. Raphinha has now returned to Spain to begin a specialized rehabilitation program under club supervision.
The estimated recovery timeline of five weeks effectively rules the forward out of several high-priority matches. This includes the entire Champions League quarter-final series against Atletico Madrid in April. Barcelona will host the first leg on April 8 before traveling to Madrid for the return on April 14.
This absence is particularly damaging given Raphinha’s exceptional form in the previous round. He scored two goals during Barcelona’s dominant 7-2 second-leg victory over Newcastle United. His total of 19 goals across all competitions this season highlights his importance to the team’s offense.
In addition to the European fixtures, the 29-year-old will miss critical domestic league games. Barcelona is currently four points clear at the top of the LaLiga table. They must now navigate upcoming matches against Atletico Madrid, Espanyol, and Celta Vigo without their starting winger.
Head coach Hansi Flick is reportedly frustrated by the timing and nature of the injury. Reports suggest the player was undergoing treatment for fatigue prior to starting the match for Brazil. Losing a key starter during a friendly thousands of miles away has caused significant concern within the club hierarchy.
The injury also presents a major opportunity for other players in the squad to step up. Marcus Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, is a likely candidate to fill the void on the wing. Rashford previously filled in successfully when Raphinha dealt with similar muscle issues earlier this season.
Other options for Flick include moving Dani Olmo or Fermin Lopez into wider attacking positions. Ferran Torres remains another alternative, though he has primarily featured as a central striker this year. The coaching staff must decide on a replacement before the team returns to league action next weekend.
Barcelona hope to have their star attacker back in time for a potential Champions League semi-final. If the recovery stays on schedule, he could return for the final weeks of the domestic season. For now, the focus remains on ensuring the injury does not suffer any further setbacks.
