Barcelona await medical verdict on Raphinha after Brazil return

Barcelona will conduct further medical tests on Raphinha after the Brazil captain was withdrawn from international duty with a muscle oedema in his right thigh.

The winger returned to Barcelona as a precaution after suffering the injury during Brazil’s friendly against Australia. Raphinha scored from the penalty spot in the 4-2 win but did not come out for the second half after developing swelling in his right thigh.

The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed on Wednesday morning that Raphinha had been released from Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. The 28-year-old will therefore miss the friendly against India and has left Brazil’s training camp.

Barcelona are waiting to establish whether the problem is limited to the discomfort initially reported or represents a more serious injury. Raphinha has been one of Hansi Flick’s most influential players at the beginning of the season, making the results of the examination particularly important for the Catalan club.

He is expected to arrive in Barcelona on Thursday, where he will undergo the necessary medical assessments. The club will also take into account the condition in which he completes the journey, with Raphinha facing more than 20 hours of flying time on his return from Australia, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona’s medical staff want to determine precisely what caused the muscle oedema and assess the extent of the problem before deciding on the next steps. The club’s immediate priority is to clarify whether Raphinha will be available after the international break or require treatment and recovery time.