Raphinha is not playing today for Barcelona because he is sidelined with a hamstring injury, ruling him out of the decisive clash against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Follow our liveblog of Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona and don’t miss anything!
His absence is not a tactical decision but a physical setback, after the Brazilian picked up a right hamstring injury while playing for Brazil, an issue that has kept him out during a crucial stretch of the campaign.
Like it happened in the first leg against Atletico Madrid, Barcelona must adapt in attack. With a two-goal deficit to overturn and no margin for error, the absence of a player like him adds another layer of difficulty to an already tense European night. Besides, Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford aren’t starting against Atletico today.
How long is Raphinha’s recovery time?
Raphinha’s recovery time is approximately five weeks after suffering a right hamstring injury. The injury occurred during an international friendly between Brazil and France, where the winger was forced off at halftime due to discomfort.
Raphinha celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match (Source: Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
His recovery period means he is expected to miss a significant stretch of crucial fixtures, including both legs of the Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid and several LaLiga matches.
There is cautious optimism inside the club that he could return in May, potentially in time for a key domestic clash against Real Madrid. However, hamstring injuries are notoriously delicate, so the medical staff will avoid rushing him back.
How has Raphinha been performing this season?
Raphinha has been one of Barcelona’s most productive players this season, emerging as a key attacking leader with goals, assists and standout performances in big games. His absence might be a relief for Diego Simeone, since Jan Oblak isn’t starting against Barcelona today.
Before his injury, he had already recorded 19 goals in all competitions, making him one of the team’s top scorers in the 2025–26 campaign. His output places him among the most decisive attacking players in the squad under Hansi Flick.
He delivered a hat-trick against Sevilla in LaLiga and followed it up with a dominant Champions League display against Newcastle, where he scored two goals and added two assists, earning a perfect rating and Man of the Match honors.
He has also stepped up in major competitions. He was instrumental in Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup triumph, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer and delivering decisive performances, including goals against Real Madrid in the final.
