Barcelona have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final ties against Atlético Madrid, with Brazilian forward Raphinha ruled out for at least five weeks due to a hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old sustained the problem during an international friendly between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts on Thursday night. Raphinha was forced to leave the pitch in the first half of Brazil’s 2–1 defeat after feeling discomfort in his right hamstring. Subsequent medical examinations conducted by Brazil’s national team doctors on Friday confirmed a muscular injury requiring an extended recovery period.
According to reports from ESPN, Raphinha will now return to Barcelona to continue his rehabilitation. However, the nature of the injury suggests he is unlikely to return to competitive action before May, effectively ruling him out of a series of decisive fixtures for both club and country.
His absence comes at a particularly challenging moment for Barcelona, who are set to face Atlético Madrid three times within a short span. The sequence begins with a La Liga clash at the Metropolitano Stadium, followed by a Champions League quarter-final first leg at Camp Nou on 8 April, and the return fixture in Madrid on 14 April. Should Barcelona progress, they are expected to meet either Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon in the semi-finals, further extending the high-intensity schedule into late April and early May.
Key Upcoming Fixtures for Barcelona
| Competition | Fixture | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona | Upcoming Saturday | Metropolitano Stadium |
| UEFA Champions League | Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid | 8 April | Camp Nou |
| UEFA Champions League | Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona | 14 April | Metropolitano Stadium |
Raphinha has been in impressive form this season, scoring 19 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions. However, this latest setback marks his third hamstring-related injury of the campaign. He previously missed 13 matches between September and November due to injury issues and was also sidelined for several fixtures in January and February.
His recurring fitness problems will be a concern for Barcelona’s medical and coaching staff, particularly given his importance to the team’s attacking structure. Manager Hansi Flick now faces the challenge of reshaping his forward line during a decisive phase of the season.
One potential beneficiary of Raphinha’s absence could be Marcus Rashford, who may be deployed on the left flank as Flick’s preferred option. Alternatively, Dani Olmo and Fermín López have previously been utilised in wide attacking roles, while Ferran Torres remains another reliable option. João Cancelo and young talent Roony Bardghji could also be considered as tactical alternatives if required.
With Barcelona aiming to maintain their position at the top of La Liga—holding a narrow lead over Real Madrid—and simultaneously pursue European glory, Raphinha’s absence could prove to be a defining factor in their season.
