Barcelona are facing fresh concerns over Raphinha after the Brazilian forward was forced off during the international friendly against Australia. Raphinha scored from the penalty spot in the first half to bring Brazil level at 2-2, but he did not return after the interval. Endrick replaced him at the start of the second half.
The extent of Raphinha’s injury has yet to be established, with Barcelona now awaiting the results of his medical assessment. The findings will determine whether he can return to club duty promptly after the international break or whether he will require a longer period of rehabilitation.
Barcelona had already been monitoring Raphinha’s physical condition before the international window began. The forward has made an outstanding start to the season, but the demands of regular competitive football, international commitments, long-distance travel and limited recovery time were regarded as potential concerns.
Raphinha’s workload was particularly relevant because he was scheduled to represent Brazil in matches against Australia and India during the international break. Travelling between countries while maintaining a demanding match schedule can place additional physical stress on players, particularly those who have been heavily involved for their clubs.
There is also a history of injury concerns surrounding the Brazilian. During a previous international break in March, Raphinha suffered a muscle problem during Brazil’s match against France and subsequently left the national team camp. After returning to Barcelona, he spent around five weeks on the sidelines.
He also sustained an injury to the back of his right thigh during Brazil’s World Cup match against Haiti. The problem ruled him out of Brazil’s following two fixtures. Medical examinations at the time identified an injury to the muscle in his right thigh, an area where the forward has previously experienced problems.
That history makes the latest setback particularly significant for Barcelona, although there is currently no confirmation that the new injury is related to his previous problems. The club will need to assess the severity of the issue before determining how long he may be unavailable.
Raphinha had given Barcelona plenty of reason to value his availability this season. Before joining up with Brazil, he had scored 14 goals in his first eight official appearances for the Catalan club. His form had made him a major contributor in the attacking department, both as a goalscorer and as a creative presence.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick had also acknowledged concerns about the physical condition of his players during international breaks. When club footballers leave to represent their countries, they face additional travel and match demands, although Flick said he trusted the national-team coaching staffs to manage their workloads appropriately.
For now, Barcelona must wait for the medical report before assessing the consequences of Raphinha’s latest injury. If the examination rules out a serious problem, he could return to training soon after the international break and remain available for the club’s upcoming fixtures.
A new muscle injury, however, could significantly alter that timeline. Given Raphinha’s current form and importance to Barcelona’s attack, the medical assessment will be closely watched by the club as preparations resume following the international window.
