Raphinha sidelined for Barcelona's next two after Brazil injury
Barcelona captain Raphinha will miss the next two matches after injuring his right thigh on Brazil duty.
The winger was substituted at half-time in Brazil's game against Australia and has since withdrawn from the national squad, the BBC reported on 10 October. It is frustrating timing for a player who sets the tone for both club and country with his energy.
Barcelona face Getafe on Saturday in La Liga, Spain's top division, then Galatasaray in European competition. Manager Hansi Flick confirmed Raphinha will sit out both fixtures, which open a packed October run for the Catalan club, according to FC Barcelona.
Flick moved quickly to calm supporters. He said the injury is not serious. He added that Raphinha coped with three injuries last year, context that explains a cautious approach this time.
The current problem has been described as a hamstring issue picked up while away with Brazil. The hamstring is the group of muscles at the back of the thigh, vital for sprinting and sudden stops. For a wide forward who lives on sharp bursts, even a small strain needs careful management.
Raphinha knows this routine well. In February he missed a week with an overload in the adductor, the muscle down the inner thigh. In June, Brazil kept faith with him after another hamstring setback. He has only recently been building rhythm again, which makes this latest stop-start spell all the more annoying.
International breaks can be tricky for clubs. Players leave for a week to ten days to play for their countries, often travelling long distances and playing twice in quick succession. Managers get them back tired or, in the worst case, injured. A half-time withdrawal is usually a warning sign. Staff act early rather than risk a longer lay-off.
This is not the first time Brazil have cut short his time with the squad. The Brazilian federation, the CBF, withdrew him from a friendly against India in late September after a scan found a small swelling in the same right thigh. Back in March, he and full-back Wesley were both sent home after feeling pain in the back of the thigh.
For fans, this means two games without one of Barcelona's leaders. Raphinha wears the armband and leads the press from the front, chasing defenders and sparking attacks. Two matches without him is manageable. The aim now is rest, recovery and a clean return when the schedule allows it.
