Injury Blow for La Liga Leaders
Barcelona will have to navigate their next two fixtures without the services of their influential captain, Raphinha. The Brazilian forward picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty, ruling him out of key domestic and European clashes. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick confirmed the setback during his press conference on Friday, noting that while the injury is not severe, the club must exercise extreme caution.
Raphinha is scheduled to miss Saturday’s La Liga match against Getafe, as well as Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray. Flick emphasized the need to protect the player, referencing his history of muscle issues.
Flick Frustrated by Demanding Schedule
The German tactician did not hide his anger regarding the intense playing schedule forced upon elite footballers. Raphinha sustained the hamstring strain during a friendly match for Brazil in Australia, a long-distance trip that Flick believes contributed to the physical toll on his captain.
According to Flick, the medical scans revealed minor damage that requires immediate attention to avoid a longer layoff. The manager pointed out that Raphinha suffered three separate muscle injuries during the previous campaign, making a cautious approach absolutely vital for his long-term fitness.
A Crucial Loss for Barcelona’s Attack
Raphinha has been in sensational form this season after being repositioned as a center-forward. He currently leads the scoring charts across Europe’s major leagues, netting an impressive 14 goals in just eight appearances in all competitions. His lethal form has been a major reason behind Barcelona’s unbeaten start to the La Liga campaign, where they currently sit five points clear of second-place Atletico Madrid.
This is not the first time the 29-year-old has struggled with muscle problems. Last year, a similar injury sidelined him after a March international break match against France in Boston. His subsequent absence during the final stretch of the season severely impacted Barcelona’s aspirations, particularly when they were eliminated from the Champions League quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid. Raphinha also suffered a hamstring tear while representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.
With a demanding set of fixtures ahead, Barcelona will hope their star forward can make a swift recovery to sustain their impressive run at the top of the table.