Barcelona host Atletico Madrid in a high-stakes first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie at Spotify Camp Nou. While followers might be hoping to see each accessible star on the pitch, Raphinha‘s absence from the squad has raised questions ahead of the match.
Raphinha will not feature against Atletico Madrid due to injury. The winger suffered a tear in the biceps femoris of his right leg while representing Brazil in their friendly against France during the March international break on the 26th, and has been sidelined ever since.
The timing could hardly be worse for both the player and the club, with Raphinha expected to be out for a minimum of five weeks. Under that recovery timeline, the Brazilian will miss both legs of the Atletico Madrid tie as well as Barcelona’s subsequent 4 La Liga fixtures.
According to Mundo Deportivo, head coach Hansi Flick is focusing on El Clásico on Sunday, May 10, as the date Raphinha may return to motion. Should Barcelona preserve their successful kind as much as that time, a victory over Real Madrid may clinch the 2025-26 La Liga title with three video games to spare, making it a big second for the winger to make his comeback.
Raphinha acquired injured playing for Brazil
FIFA to reimburse Barcelona
Currently sitting atop the La Liga desk with 76 factors and nonetheless alive in the Champions League, Raphinha’s damage has prompted Barcelona to direct their frustration towards FIFA. As reported by Diario Sport, the governing physique might be compensating the membership for the period of his absence.
Re-elected president Joan Laporta aired his grievances with Món Esport over the scenario: “In some way, we should demand that FIFA create an international calendar that takes into account the competitions of the most important clubs. It’s true that when one of your best players gets injured in a friendly match between France and Brazil in the United States, it is very frustrating. The problem is the congested fixture list, especially at this point in the season when we are playing for everything. It is exasperating!”
Under FIFA’s established compensation framework, golf equipment obtain a day by day fee of 20,548 euros, relevant for a most of twelve months and capped at 7.5 million euros per participant. With Raphinha projected to overlook roughly 5 weeks, stories point out Barcelona stand to obtain round 143,836 euros in reimbursement.
