​Barcelona Furious Over Raphinha Injury; Player Suffered Muscle Issues and Traveled Long Distance to Start Friendly in US

March 27 – According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are extremely unhappy with Raphinha's injury sustained while on international duty with Brazil. The player started a friendly match against France in the United States but was substituted at halftime due to right thigh muscle discomfort.

The report states that the situation has caused "complete incomprehension" and palpable anger within the club. The match was a friendly, taking place at a critical stage of the season just before the final stretch, with the team competing on multiple fronts. The game was played in the United States, thousands of kilometers from Europe, and held no competitive significance.

The match was played at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. Raphinha started but was replaced at halftime by Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Brazilian Football Confederation later stated: "The winger was substituted at halftime due to muscle discomfort in his right thigh."

Initial feedback suggests the player is feeling discomfort in the hamstring (biceps femoris) area. While no further tests have been conducted, communication between Brazil's medical staff and Barcelona has already taken place, and the initial signals are not optimistic.

From Barcelona's perspective, the situation is hard to accept. Raphinha has faced muscle issues multiple times this season. Having to travel long-haul to the US, endure time zone differences and the strain of consecutive matches, only to start in a meaningless friendly, has left the club bewildered.

Raphinha is currently a key player for manager Hansi Flick and is considered vital to the team. With the season approaching its decisive phase (just about two months left until the end of the club season, and roughly two and a half months until the World Cup), having a core player exposed to such a demanding international assignment is seen within Barcelona as an excessive risk.

The report adds that Flick himself is also very unhappy about the situation. He had already expressed concerns during previous international breaks, and Raphinha's injury is now seen as "the straw that broke the camel's back."

According to FIFA regulations, Barcelona would be eligible for compensation from FIFA if Raphinha is sidelined for more than 28 days. However, for the club, any financial compensation is seen as insignificant compared to the potential loss of the player during this crucial phase of the season.

Source: Mundo Deportivo