Raphinha is out of the plans for Sunday’s clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The forward didn’t take part in Friday’s training session and, according to Diario As, has been completely ruled out of the match for La Liga’s 10th round. The news breaks just hours before a game that could decide who sits at the top of the table and directly impacts Barcelona’s attacking setup.
A major absence in a decisive match
Raphinha had been preparing to make his comeback in this very game. He’s been out since September 26, when he suffered a right hamstring tendon injury, with an initial recovery timeline of three weeks. He trained throughout the week and was expected to return, but didn’t feel right during Thursday’s session and was absent again on Friday. The Brazilian has already missed five matches during this period and will now sit out a sixth, the most important one so far this season.
Barcelona enters El Clásico two points behind Real Madrid. A win would put them at the top, but they’ll be without a key piece in attack. Raphinha has been a reliable option to break lines and stretch defenses, especially in big games.
The impact goes beyond tactics. Last season, Raphinha was decisive against Real Madrid. He scored five goals in four matches — two in the 4–3 win that all but secured the league title for Barça, two more in the Spanish Super Cup, and another brilliant goal in the first half of the LaLiga season when Barça won 4–0. He tends to shine on nights like this.
Tension on both benches
The problems don’t stop with the squad. The coaching staff is also facing uncertainty. The Disciplinary Committee of the RFEF rejected Barcelona’s appeal and upheld Flick’s suspension after his red card against Girona. If the Appeals Court doesn’t overturn the decision, the coach will be absent from the touchline on Sunday.
That means Barcelona could face one of the most important matches of the season without their head coach on the bench and without one of their main attacking players.