FC Barcelona’s forward Raphinha has undergone medical assessments at the club’s Joan Gamper training center after an early return from international duty with Brazil. The player featured prominently in two friendlies against Australia, completing nearly all minutes in the first and being substituted at halftime in the second. Despite some discomfort in his right thigh—the source of recurrent issues during the previous season—both Mundo Deportivo and MARCA have reported that Raphinha’s latest tests confirmed no significant injury.

This injury concern echoes past troubles that led Raphinha to miss crucial matches in the 2025/2026 season, including the entirety of a Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid. Barcelona’s medical directors are reportedly interested in exploring why the player often comes back injured after representing Brazil, aiming to identify whether problems lie in training or warm-up routines. However, with full medical clearance, the 29-year-old forward is expected to be available for the La Liga fixture against Getafe scheduled for October 10 at Spotify Camp Nou.

Head coach Hansi Flick faces an important lineup decision moving forward. After recognizing the risks of overutilizing Raphinha, Flick has prepared potential alternatives such as Gabriel Jesus or other wide players like Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, who can adapt to forward roles. Raphinha’s impressive tally of 14 goals this season has been critical in propelling Barcelona to the top of La Liga, five points clear of their rivals. His presence remains pivotal, but managing his fitness is crucial given the demanding schedule ahead.

Barcelona’s upcoming fixtures include high-stakes encounters with Galatasaray and PSG in the Champions League, as well as the highly anticipated Clasico against Real Madrid at home. With these challenges looming, the balance between utilizing Raphinha’s goal-scoring prowess and safeguarding his physical condition will be a key factor in the club’s pursuit of success across multiple competitions this season.