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Raphinha's Hamstring Injury Deals Blow to Barcelona's Title Hopes

FC Barcelona's ambitions have been hit by a hamstring injury to winger Raphinha sustained while playing for Brazil. This is his second such injury this season, jeopardizing his availability for critical upcoming matches against Atletico Madrid in both La Liga and the Champions League quarter-finals. His absence is a significant blow, given his contribution of 14 goals and six assists this campaign. The injury comes as Barcelona leads a tight title race with Real Madrid by just four points.

Key Points: Raphinha Injury Hurts Barcelona's La Liga, UCL Campaign

  • Raphinha injured on Brazil duty
  • Second hamstring issue this season
  • Misses key Atletico Madrid clashes
  • Has 14 goals & 6 assists this term
  • Title race with Real Madrid is tight
2 min read

FC Barcelona winger Raphinha's hamstring injury likely to impact their season

Barcelona's Raphinha suffers hamstring injury on Brazil duty, a major setback for the club's La Liga and Champions League title run-in.

"Raphinha's injury has thrown a spanner in the works - Report Analysis"

Madrid, March 28

FC Barcelona's La Liga and UEFA Champions League title hopes have suffered a big setback after Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty for Brazil, playing in a pre-World Cup friendly.

The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed on Friday that Raphinha suffered the injury in his right hamstring during Thursday's 2-1 defeat to France in a friendly. The forward will leave the Brazilian squad to return to Barcelona for treatment, reports Xinhua.

This is the second time Raphinha has suffered a right hamstring injury this season, having missed almost two months earlier in the campaign.

Barcelona play away to Atletico Madrid in La Liga on April 4, before hosting Diego Simeone's side in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal four days later.

After that, Barcelona will host Espanyol in a La Liga derby on April 11 and travel to the Metropolitano Stadium for the Champions League second leg on April 14.

Raphinha has scored 14 goals and given six assists in 27 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League this season.

Earlier, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid both edged to narrow wins before the international break to keep the title race alive in the La Liga 2025-26 season. Barcelona defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0 while Real Madrid edged archrivals Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a hard-fought Madrid Derby.

With the league moving towards a decisive phase at both ends of the points table, Barcelona and Real Madrid are separated by four points, with Barca leading the standings with 73 points while Real Madrid have 69 points after 29 rounds of matches.

It was felt that the break came at the right time for Barcelona as they looked tired in both their pressing and passing, and Rayo Vallecano created several chances to level after repeatedly beating the home side's high defensive line, only to waste them.

Fortunately for Barcelona, goalkeeper Joan Garcia produced several big saves to justify his first international call-up. Flick hopes the international break helps his players recover after an intense start to 2026. It was also felt that Barca will certainly need to improve, because their first game after the break is away to Atletico, which beat them 4-0 in the Copa del Rey.

However, Raphinha's injury has thrown a spanner in the works, and the club will have to come up with a plan to minimise its impact.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a football fan in India, I feel for Barca fans. These international friendlies are so unnecessary right before the business end of the season. Clubs pay the players' salaries and then lose them for crucial matches. The schedule is insane.
V
Vikram M
Hamstring injuries are tricky, especially a recurrence. The medical team needs to be questioned here. Was he rushed back too soon the first time? Hope he gets proper rest and recovery this time, even if it means missing the rest of the season. Health comes first.
P
Priya S
Time for Ferran Torres or Lamine Yamal to grab their chance! Every setback is an opportunity for someone else. The squad has depth, and Flick is a smart coach. I believe the team can still pull through. Força Barça!
R
Rohit P
Madridista here, but genuinely wish Raphinha a speedy recovery. A title race is only exciting when both teams are at full strength. That said, this definitely gives us an advantage. Hala Madrid! 😉
M
Michael C
14 goals and 6 assists is a huge contribution. Replacing that output mid-season is nearly impossible. This might be the moment that decides the La Liga title. The pressure is now squarely on Lewandowski and Gündoğan.

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