Of all the times for the hamstring to go, this was the worst.


Raphinha was substituted at half-time of Brazil's 2-1 friendly defeat to France in Boston on March 27, having felt discomfort in his right leg. Carlos Ancelotti, who manages the national team, described it as a precautionary change. Subsequent scans told a different story.


Barcelona confirmed on March 27 that Raphinha had suffered a right hamstring injury — specifically the biceps femoris muscle — and that his estimated recovery time was five weeks. He is returning to Barcelona to begin treatment.


What He Will Miss


Five weeks rules Raphinha out for the entirety of April. The fixtures he will miss are among the most important of Barcelona's entire season:


**La Liga**: Atlético Madrid away (April 4), Espanyol, Celta Vigo, Getafe.

**Champions League**: Atlético Madrid at home (April 8, first leg), Atlético Madrid away (April 14, second leg).


That is the full triple-header against Atlético — three matches in ten days — all without their most dangerous and most consistent attacker. Raphinha has 19 goals and eight assists in 31 appearances this season. He has been at the centre of everything Hansi Flick has built.


If Barcelona reach the semi-finals, the first legs are scheduled for April 28-29 — right on the edge of his expected return date. He would be racing the clock for the biggest match of the campaign.


The Contract Cloud


This is also the third time this season Raphinha has injured the same right hamstring. The repeated nature of the problem will concern both the player and the club, particularly with his contract situation unresolved and Juventus reportedly monitoring developments.


Barcelona's Anger at FIFA


Barcelona have been informed that FIFA's Club Protection Program will compensate them approximately $155,000 for Raphinha's absence — a figure the club privately view as completely disproportionate to the sporting damage caused. The injury happened in a pre-World Cup friendly. Barcelona are preparing for a Champions League quarter-final without their captain.


"Insufficient and bizarre" is how club sources described the compensation to Sport.


The World Cup Question


Raphinha is expected to return around early May. Brazil manager Ancelotti submits his final World Cup squad around May 17. The 29-year-old will have very little time to prove his fitness before the deadline — and this is now his third hamstring injury of the season in the same location.