At a glance
- The Brazilian CBF confirmed that FC Barcelona forward Raphinha has injured a muscle in his right thigh.
- Raphinha had to leave Thursday’s 3-2 loss to France for Brazil at half time.
- He’ll now return to Barcelona to be assessed by his club’s medical staff.
- Sources from Brazil say that Raphinha is expected to be out of action for a month, while FC Barcelona stated five weeks.
The Brazilian football association, known as the CBF, has confirmed that FC Barcelona winger Raphinha picked up an injury in Brazil’s 3-2 defeat to France in Foxborough on Thursday.
“Players Raphinha and Wesley were released this Friday (27) by coach Carlo Ancelotti. Both felt pain in the posterior region of the right thigh during the match against France,” the statement began.
“On Friday, the athletes underwent imaging tests that confirmed muscle injuries. The players have been released to follow the treatment. No other athletes will be called to replace them,” the correspondence then finished.
FC Barcelona has confirmed Raphinha’s injury absence timeframe
Though the CBF didn’t specify a recovery time for Raphinha, Mundo Deportivo’s Fernando Polo said that sources in Brazil point to a one month-absence.
Shortly after, however, FC Barcelona said that their number 11 will be out for five weeks.
If accurate, this would mean that Raphinha missed both legs of an upcoming Champions League last 16 tie against Atletico Madrid set to be played on April 8th and 14th.
He’ll also be out for a La Liga showdown with the same opposition away on April 4, and the derby with Espanyol on April 11.
If Barça manage to get past Atleti, the 29-year-old would also be doubtful for a UCL semifinal first leg against either Sporting CP or Premier League leaders Arsenal set to be played on either April 28th or 29th in Catalonia.
Yet the return fixture, on the road, he could be fit and available all being well amid also missing Celta Vigo and Getafe in the league.
Culers are furious with Raphinha’s injury
Take a quick scroll through X, formerly known as Twitter, and you’ll see that FC Barcelona fans are furious with Raphinha’s injury.
Some blame the player himself, with reports in Brazil claiming that the former Ballon d’Or candidate knew he was fatigued following a string of important club fixtures that saw him returning to top form.
Others point the finger at Barça, for not putting their foot down and refusing to release the player. Yet the most anger has been reserved for the footballing calendar, and the real need for friendlies to be held in March when the European club season is reaching its most important period.
With this his third injury of the season, Raphinha will now return to Barcelona to be assessed by his club’s medical department.
