Raphinha Faces Race Against Time as Hamstring Tests Loom

Barcelona’s medical staff are braced for anxious hours ahead after winger Raphinha suffered a fresh setback to his right hamstring during Brazil’s mid-week friendly against France. According to a report in AS, the 27-year-old felt a sharp twinge in the biceps femoris—the same muscle group that sidelined him for two months earlier this season—prompting an immediate substitution at the interval.

National-team physios applied rapid treatment in the dressing room, but the episode has triggered alarm bells at the Catalan club, where memories of his lengthy lay-off remain vivid. Speaking after the match, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti offered a terse update: “He felt a little discomfort in the muscle and I think they’re going to assess him tomorrow.”

Those assessments will take place on Friday morning at Barça’s training complex. Club doctors have scheduled exhaustive imaging to determine whether the issue amounts to a minor strain caused by overload or a more serious tear that could extend his absence. Results are expected before the weekend, leaving Hansi Flick’s staff in limbo as they prepare for a congested run of fixtures.

Losing Raphinha would rob Barcelona of one of their most direct wide threats: his capacity to beat opponents in one-on-one situations and his willingness to track back have become central to Flick’s tactical blueprint. With pivotal matches on the horizon, the timing could scarcely be worse for the LaLiga leaders.