Raphinha could be out for at least another week with FC Barcelona. The Brazilian is still away from the squad due to his injury to his right femoral biceps and, although his time out was estimated at three weeks, there is still no news about his possible return on matchday 9 of LaLiga, against Girona (Saturday 18th at 16:15 CEST).
The '11' was sent to the 'Azulgrana' infirmary after the visit to Real Oviedo (1-3), as a result of a muscular injury that made him miss the last three Barça matches and the double day of friendlies in Asia with Brazil. The 28-year-old winger will complete three weeks of rest this Friday, just one day before the derby against the 'Albirrojos'.
In that sense, it is unlikely that Hansi Flick will risk calling him up if the Porto Alegre native, as is the case with Lamine Yamal and Fermín López, does not return to training with the group by the middle of this week.
Raphinha's Return Points to the Barça-Olympiacos Match
Even if Rafa returns to training during the week, his presence in the lineup against Girona is practically ruled out. Flick does not usually put players who return from injuries with more than two weeks off as starters, unless they accumulate a significant load of prior training.
Therefore, the most likely scenario is that Raphinha's return will occur next Tuesday the 21st, against Olympiacos for matchday 3 of the Champions League. Barça is obligated to clearly overcome the Greeks to once again approach the TOP-8 of the standings, after the painful defeat against PSG in MD2 (1-2).
The latter being a match where the *culés* couldn't count on the '11'. Before his injury, the South American winger contributed 3 goals and 2 assists in 7 matches, more modest figures compared to his start to the season in 24/25 (he scored 5 goals and 3 assists in the first 6 league games), but always valuable for the *azulgrana* attack.
Getting the best Raphinha back, key to boosting Barça's performance
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And it is that, in the 24/25 season, Raphinha was the player with the best offensive output for Barcelona (34 goals and 23 assists), numbers that led him to fifth place in the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The 28-year-old forward was also MVP in LaLiga and Pichichi in the Champions League, so the Catalan team needs to recover its best version to get out of the slump it has fallen into in its latest performances.
Flick's team missed Rafa's contribution in attack against PSG and Sevilla, two matches where the team lacked effectiveness in the opponent's box, as well as physical solidity to reach the final minutes at full strength.
In his seven appearances in the 25/26 season, Raphinha was only a substitute against Getafe (he scored twice in the second half). The '11's main goal is to be fit enough to start against Real Madrid on October 26, an opponent against whom he scored 5 times last season, in addition to providing a couple of assists.
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