Barcelona star Raphinha is set to miss the Champions League quarter-finals and at least one leg of the semi-finals with a new injury, according to reports.
FC Barcelona have confirmed that Raphinha has an injury in his right hamstring, and they’re expecting him to miss around five weeks of action.
Sport report (via Fabrizio Romano) that Barcelona are “furious” about the injury, picked up during an international friendly match between Brazil and France last week.
The player was already feeling discomfort before the game, which took place on the other side of the Atlantic in the United States.
A five-week absence would mean Raphinha missing both of Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final matches against Atletico Madrid, and that he’d also miss the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals if Barcelona make it.
That could be relevant to Arsenal, given the Gunners would face either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid if they did make it past Sporting CP in the quarters.
Raphinha would even be a doubt for the second leg of the semi-finals, assuming further tests don’t bring better news for the player.
Raphinha has been a key player for Barcelona this season, scoring 19 goals and assisting a further seven in his 31 appearances.
The 29-year-old was particularly good in Barcelona’s last Champions League match against Newcastle United, scoring two goals, assisting two more, and winning a penalty. He’d certainly be a threat if he’s available to face Arsenal in a potential semi.