Barcelona will not rush Raphinha return as Hamza Abdelkarim emerges as possible replacement

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick will not take any risks with Raphinha’s return from injury, according to Marca, after the Brazil international was forced to leave his national team camp.

Raphinha suffered a bruise to his right thigh while on duty with Brazil and is expected to return to Barcelona for further medical examinations. He will miss Brazil’s match against India on Saturday.

Flick is determined not to repeat last season’s mistake, when Raphinha was brought back too quickly from an injury in October. The forward then suffered a setback in the same area and was sidelined for almost another month.

Raphinha’s availability for Barcelona’s match against Getafe on 10 October remains uncertain. If he is unable to play, Flick has several attacking options, including Gabriel Jesus and Hamza Abdelkarim, as well as wingers who can operate as central strikers.

Gabriel Jesus has made four appearances this season, totalling 41 minutes, and has scored twice. Abdelkarim, meanwhile, has played only four minutes for Barcelona.

Raphinha’s absence would be significant for Barcelona, with the club captain having scored 14 goals so far this season.

Abdelkarim scores first Egypt goal

Abdelkarim is currently with Egypt, who face South Africa on Sunday before he returns to Barcelona.

The teenager scored his first goal for Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier against South Sudan. He came on as a substitute in the 87th minute for Omar Marmoush, who had scored twice before being replaced.

The Barcelona player found the net for the first time in the 90+2nd minute, following up after the goalkeeper had saved Osama Faisal’s effort.

It was the first senior professional goal of Abdelkarim’s career, whether for Al Ahly, Barcelona or Egypt.

The 18-year-old became the third-youngest player to score for Egypt, at 18 years, nine months and 28 days.

Only Abdel Karim Sakr, who scored against Austria at the 1936 Olympics aged 17 years, eight months and 28 days, and Ahmed Hossam “Mido”, who scored against the United Arab Emirates in a friendly in 2001 aged 17 years, 10 months and 14 days, achieved the feat at a younger age.

The appearance against South Sudan was Abdelkarim’s eighth for Egypt since making his debut against Russia in a friendly in May.

He has yet to start a match for the national team and has so far been used exclusively as a substitute.