Barcelona Rocked by Devastating Injury as Star Attacker's Return Date Finally Revealed

Barcelona were dealt a severe blow at the start of the March international break, as the club confirmed that star winger Raphinha will be out for five weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Raphinha featured from the start and played the first 45 minutes of Brazil's 2–1 loss to France in Thursday's international friendly. Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti raised concerns after the game when he revealed Raphinha "had a problem at the end of the first half and (they) had to substitute him."

Subsequent tests confirmed the worst fears, with Barcelona releasing an official statement on Friday outlining the full extent of the injury.

"Raphinha has sustained a right hamstring injury, as confirmed by medical examinations conducted by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) following the discomfort he felt during the Brazil vs. France match in Boston on Thursday. The player is heading back to Barcelona to begin the necessary treatment. The estimated recovery period is five weeks."

For the third time this campaign, hamstring trouble will force Raphinha to sit out an extended period on the sidelines.

How Many Games Will Raphinha Miss for Barcelona?

The recovery timeframe provided by Barcelona indicates the 29-year-old winger will be absent for the whole of April.

Barcelona have six fixtures lined up in April, all of which are pivotal to their pursuit of both the La Liga and Champions League trophies before the season concludes.

Raphinha will be unavailable for Barcelona's upcoming three-match series against Atlético Madrid. The Catalan side will take on Atlético in La Liga in their first game back from the break, which will serve as a precursor to their Champions League quarterfinal tie scheduled across the first two full weeks of April.

The Brazilian will also sit out league encounters against local rivals Espanyol, Celta Vigo, and Getafe. Should Barcelona eliminate Atlético and advance to the Champions League semifinals, Raphinha will be in a race against time to be fit for the first leg on April 28–29.

The Barcelona Games Raphinha Will Miss With Fresh Hamstring Injury

Who Could Replace Raphina for Barcelona?

Marcus Rashford was a regular starter on the left wing when Raphinha sustained a comparable injury earlier this season, and he is set to fill that role once more. It represents a significant chance for the on-loan Englishman to recapture his early-season form and make a strong case for a permanent stay with the Catalan club.

Another option available to Hansi Flick is to field either Fermín López or Dani Olmo on the left flank, with the other slotting into the No. 10 position. Ferran Torres is also a candidate to cover for Raphinha, though the Spaniard has been used almost exclusively as a striker under Flick's management.

Regardless of who Flick opts to play on the left wing, no Barcelona player can truly replicate what Raphinha brings both on and off the ball, nor his level of leadership. In short, Raphinha's injury is an enormous setback, and it could have significant consequences for Barcelona's title ambitions.