At a glance
- Raphinha hasn’t played for FC Barcelona since before the international break.
- During that, he picked up a hamstring injury that has kept him out for around six weeks.
- On Sunday, the Brazilian is expected to feature in El Clasico against Real Madrid.
FC Barcelona winger Raphinha is expected to make his long-awaited return against Real Madrid in El Clasico.
The Brazilian fell to a hamstring injury in late March while playing for his country against France. That meant he missed both legs of the Champions League knockout to Atletico Madrid, as European glory once again eluded the Catalans.
Making the squad list for Osasuna last Saturday was a positive sign after Raphinha received medical clearance. Unlike Marc Bernal, however, who made his comeback towards the end of the 2-1 win, the 29-year-old has had to wait longer to touch grass in Blaugrana once more.
According to AS, though, and other outlets, that ends on Sunday. Though he won’t be expected to start, Raphinha is in line to earn minutes against one of his favourite victims.
With a 2025 Super Cup win perhaps his best performance against Los Blancos, Raphinha has netted seven goals in 12 encounters against the club from the capital.
Expected to be granted half an hour towards the end, he can add to that tally in the Spotify Camp Nou.
Raphinha knows Barcelona fans want to win the league against Real Madrid
As Barca boast an 11-point lead, a point is enough to seal a third La Liga title in four years. A club man through and through, Raphinha knows that Culers want the job done against their arch nemesis.
“To be honest, the special thing for me is to win La Liga, regardless of the opponent,” Raphinha told ESPN.
“For the fans, for those who have been at the club longer, it is something very special to be able to win against our biggest rival. But, for me, the most important thing is to win the league. If it has to be against them, even better,” he noted.
In his left wing slot for the decider, expect to find Fermin Lopez there as Dani Olmo is the CAM. That’s bad news for Marcus Rashford, yet the Englishman showed he can play on the right in El Sadar.
Coming on for Roony Bardghji in Lamine Yamal‘s absence, he providing an assist for Robert Lewandowski’s bullet header. This could put him ahead of the Dane as Rashford’s future remains uncertain.
