Raphinha faces an extended spell on the sidelines after Barcelona officially confirmed the winger’s full injury recovery timeline.
The Brazilian winger, integral to Hansi Flick’s attacking blueprint, was withdrawn at halftime during Saturday’s La Liga win over Elche due to discomfort, sparking immediate concern among staff.
With Barcelona chasing domestic and European dominance, managing key players through niggles has become a delicate balancing act for the medical team.
The official diagnosis reveals Raphinha is suffering from an overload in his right adductor muscle, ruling him out of tomorrow’s clash at Estadio Carlos Belmonte with an estimated one-week recovery period, as confirmed by an official Barcelona statement.
This timeline means the 28-year-old will definitely miss the cup tie against giant-killers Albacete—who sensationally dumped Real Madrid out—and leaves his participation against Mallorca next Saturday in serious doubt.
Raphinha’s absence opens the door for Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, or on-loan Marcus Rashford to stake their claim on the right flank, with all three offering distinct qualities to trouble Albacete’s defence.
The Brazilian’s pace and crossing have been vital to Barcelona’s fluid attack this season, but Flick’s squad rotation philosophy—honed through Champions League exertions—provides ample cover without compromising quality.
This latest scare follows a pattern of minor injuries plaguing Barcelona’s wingers since January, with Raphinha having missed time against Espanyol and in the Spanish Super Cup.
The club’s proactive stance underscores lessons learned from past seasons when small issues escalated into lengthy absences, particularly for star attackers carrying heavy minutes.
Albacete represent Barcelona’s most dangerous cup opponent yet, having defied odds to reach this stage, but the Blaugrana’s historical dominance—six straight wins—and depth should see them through.
Hansi Flick will demand focus from his depleted attack, knowing Raphinha’s return remains just seven days away to bolster the La Liga title charge.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
