Barcelona will be without winger Raphinha for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid after the Brazilian was diagnosed with a hamstring injury on Friday.
The 29-year-old sustained the injury during Brazil’s 2-1 friendly defeat to France in the United States on Thursday.
In a statement, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that Raphinha and Roma full-back Wesley both experienced pain in their right hamstrings during the match.
“On Friday, the players underwent tests that confirmed muscular injuries,” the CBF said.
Barcelona later confirmed that Raphinha will be sidelined for around five weeks.
“The player is returning to Barcelona to begin the appropriate treatment. The estimated recovery time is five weeks,” the club said.
The setback is a significant blow for the Catalan side, with Raphinha set to miss both legs of the quarter-final against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, scheduled for April 8 at home and April 14 away.
He is also expected to miss key La Liga fixtures against Atletico Madrid, Espanyol, Celta Vigo and Getafe.
Raphinha, who has scored 19 goals this season, will now be in a race to regain fitness ahead of the Clasico against Real Madrid on May 10, as well as a potential Champions League semi-final on April 29 against either Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon.
However, he is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
AFP
