Raphinha's brilliant Barcelona start interrupted by injury concerns

Raphinha will miss Barcelona's next two fixtures after returning from international break with an injury. Raphinha scored 21 goals in all competitions for Barcelona during the 2025-26 season Raphinha has made a phenomenal start to the season for Barcelona, cementing his status as one of Europe's most formidable attackers. The 29-year-old has scored 14 times and provided three assists as the Spanish champions have racked up eight successive wins in all competitions. His performances have been so impressive that his omission from the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist prompted debate, with some arguing his form warranted greater recognition among the game's elite. Yet, just as Raphinha appeared ready to take his game to another level, injury concerns have interrupted his momentum and he looks set to miss Barcelona's next two fixtures.

Facing a demanding run of fixtures, including meetings with Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid this month in the Champions League and La Liga, keeping the Brazilian fit could prove just as important as making the most of his remarkable goalscoring form. Raphinha withdrew from international duty with a right thigh injury after he was substituted at half-time in Brazil's match against Australia. "The tests show something," Barcelona boss Hansi Flick told the media. "It's not a serious injury, but we have to be careful because he had three injuries last