At a glance
- FC Barcelona forward Raphinha injured himself in Brazil’s 3-2 loss to France and was sidelined for five weeks.
- He initially returned to Brazil with the permission of the club.
- This weekend, however, ahead of an away trip at Atletico Madrid, Raphinha is set to return to Catalonia.
FC Barcelona star Raphinha is set to return to Catalonia this weekend, as reported by a number of outlets including MARCA.
The winger injured himself in the first half of Brazil’s 2-1 loss to France in Foxborough, and was later diagnosed with a right hamstring injury.
Barça expects the knock to keep the 29-year-old sidelined for five weeks, and gave Raphinha permission to head to Brazil amid reports of being “emotionally touched” by his setback.
Just when he was starting to return to top form with a hat trick against Sevilla and a Champions League brace at Newcastle’s expense, Raphinha will now miss the quarterfinals of the European competition which pit the Blaugrana against Atletico Madrid.
He’ll probably be out for a hypothetical semifinal first leg hosting of Arsenal or Sporting CP at the Spotify Camp Nou should his team advance that far, in addition to important league meetings with Espanyol, Celta Vigo and Getafe.
Raphinha is set to return to Barcelona
Irrespective of when he actually touches the turf again in a competitive capacity, what we do know is that Raphinha has been ordered to head back to Catalonia after starting his rehabilitation in Brazil.
The rest of the first team trained at the Joan Gamper CT on Thursday following the international break, but Raphinha should turn up there at some point of the weekend amid the group travelling to the Metropolitano to take on Atleti in La Liga on Saturday night.
Though he is bound to welcome Raphinha back, the number 11 might receive a disappointed look from Hansi Flick.
The German was furious that one of his star players had become crocked according to SPORT’s Sergi Capdevilla, and especially by playing in a friendly despite showing signs of fatigue.
In Raphinha’s absence, Marcus Rashford has an opportunity to step up on the left wing, and prove that his loan deal from Manchester United should be made permanent for a rumoured €30 million.
