Barcelona have confirmed that Raphinha will be sidelined for around three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury. The club announced that the Brazilian winger picked up a problem in the middle part of his right biceps femoris muscle. The injury comes at a difficult time for Barcelona, as they prepare for key matches in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Due to this setback, Raphinha will miss important games, including the upcoming La Liga clash against Real Sociedad. He will also be unavailable for Barcelona’s Champions League meeting with PSG, as well as the league fixture against Girona. His absence adds to the team’s growing list of injuries, putting extra pressure on coach Hansi Flick to find solutions.
Barcelona are already dealing with fitness concerns across the squad. Goalkeeper Joan García is out for up to six weeks after undergoing meniscus surgery, while midfielder Gavi remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury. However, there is some positive news, as youngsters Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde are close to returning and could provide much-needed depth.
Before his injury, Raphinha was in strong form and playing a vital role in Barcelona’s attack. He recently reached 151 appearances for the club and was named La Liga Player of the Season for 2024-25. Earlier this year, he also signed a contract extension that ties him to Barcelona until 2028, highlighting his importance to the long-term project.
With Raphinha out, Barcelona will need to adjust their attacking options. Marcus Rashford could be deployed in a wider role, while young talents may be given more opportunities to step up. On the international stage, the winger was already absent from Brazil’s recent World Cup qualifier due to suspension, but he is expected to return once fully fit.
The coming weeks will be a real test for Barcelona’s depth and resilience. The absence of Raphinha not only affects their attacking rhythm but also puts more responsibility on the rest of the squad as they continue their push for success in both domestic and European competitions.
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