Barça Dealt Injury Blow as Raphinha Faces Weeks on the Sidelines
FC Barcelona have suffered a major setback in their push for European success, with star winger Raphinha ruled out for several weeks due to injury.
The club confirmed on Friday, March 27, 2026, that the Brazilian forward picked up a right hamstring injury during Brazil’s 2–1 friendly loss to France national football team at Gillette Stadium. He was substituted at half-time after feeling discomfort, and tests later revealed a muscle tear.
A Big Loss for Barcelona
The timing could not be worse for manager Hansi Flick. Raphinha has been one of Barcelona’s standout performers this season, contributing 19 goals and 10 assists across competitions.
His absence leaves a significant gap in the attack, especially with crucial fixtures approaching.
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Matches He Will Miss
Raphinha is expected to be sidelined for about five weeks, meaning he will miss several important games, including:
- La Liga clashes against Atlético Madrid, Espanyol, Celta Vigo, and Getafe
- Both legs of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Atlético Madrid
Recovery Timeline
The 29-year-old has returned to Barcelona to begin rehabilitation. The medical team is targeting a comeback around May 10, when Barcelona face Real Madrid in El Clásico.
If his recovery goes well, he could still feature later in the Champions League should Barcelona progress beyond the quarter-finals.
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Who Will Fill the Gap?
With Raphinha unavailable, Flick will need to adjust his attacking options. Players likely to step up include:
- Marcus Rashford, who offers pace and direct attacking play
- Ferran Torres, valued for his work rate and tactical discipline
- Lamine Yamal, who may take on more creative responsibility
Another International Setback
This is not the first time Raphinha has returned from international duty with a muscle issue this season. While FIFA may provide financial compensation due to the length of the injury, it does little to ease the blow for a team chasing major trophies.
For Barcelona, the focus now shifts to adapting quickly and finding solutions without one of their most influential players.
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