FC Barcelona have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, with Brazilian winger Raphinha sidelined due to injury.
The 29-year-old attacker picked up a hamstring problem while representing Brazil national football team in their 2-1 international friendly loss to France national football team in the United States on Thursday.
According to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), both Raphinha and Wesley França experienced discomfort in their right hamstrings during the encounter. Subsequent medical examinations carried out on Friday confirmed muscle injuries for both players.
Barcelona later issued an update, revealing that Raphinha will return to Spain to begin rehabilitation, with his recovery expected to take around five weeks.
This means the forward will miss both legs of Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final against Atlético Madrid, scheduled for April 8 and April 14. The absence of such a key figure is a major concern for the Catalan side, given his impressive contributions this season.
Raphinha has been one of Barcelona’s standout performers, scoring 19 goals across all competitions. His injury also rules him out of several crucial La Liga fixtures, including matches against Atlético Madrid, Espanyol, Celta Vigo, and Getafe.
The club will be hoping the winger regains fitness in time for the highly anticipated El Clasico showdown with Real Madrid on May 10, as well as a potential Champions League semi-final later in April.
On the international stage, there is optimism that Raphinha will be fit enough to represent Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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