Barcelona face fresh De Jong doubts and Raphinha travel blow

Barcelona’s plans for a quieter international break have been disrupted by new concerns over Frenkie de Jong and an unexpected decision involving Raphinha, with Hans-Dieter Flick’s side approaching a demanding run of fixtures.

De Jong has left the Netherlands squad after suffering a fresh problem, according to Foot Mercato. The midfielder had only recently returned from a lengthy absence caused by a knee injury sustained during the World Cup.

Netherlands manager Xavi Hernandez referred only to back pain after the team’s victory over Greece, but the Dutch Football Association later confirmed that De Jong would not travel to Berlin for Monday’s meeting with Germany. AS reports that the Barcelona player is in fact experiencing pain in his thigh.

Barcelona are waiting for more information. Sport says De Jong will be assessed by the club’s medical staff next Monday, when they will decide whether further tests are required.

What is already clear is that the Netherlands international will be rested this week and is highly unlikely to feature against Villarreal at Camp Nou. Barcelona are taking a cautious approach because of the location of the problem and De Jong’s recent return from injury.

Flick now also faces uncertainty over Raphinha’s international commitments.

The Barcelona forward was sent off during Brazil’s 3-2 defeat by Japan, alongside Carlo Ancelotti, after strongly protesting Japan’s late goal. As a result, he is automatically suspended for Brazil’s second friendly against Singapore on Tuesday.

Barcelona would have preferred Raphinha to return early so he could prepare for the resumption of club football. However, the Brazilian Football Association has decided that he will remain with the squad.

“Raphinha will stay. In principle, he will stay with us… his departure would not make sense, as he is one of our leaders,” said Rodrigo Caetano, general executive coordinator of Brazil’s men’s national teams.

Raphinha will therefore have to wait until Tuesday to return to Catalonia, despite being unavailable for the match. Sport reports that Barcelona do not want a dispute with the Brazilian Football Association, but that the decision is difficult to understand within the club, particularly because suspended players have previously been allowed to leave during international breaks.

The decision also has practical consequences for Flick’s team. Raphinha faces a flight lasting almost 12 hours and a time difference of up to seven hours before rejoining his team-mates, just as Barcelona begin a busy week.

Barcelona host Villarreal next Sunday before travelling to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to face Sabah in the Champions League. That journey will involve another flight of more than five hours for Raphinha, who could otherwise have used those days to rest and prepare.