Barcelona suffered a major blow as Raphinha picked up a hamstring injury while with Brazil’s national team, ruling him out for approximately five weeks. According to Barca Universal, this absence leaves a significant gap in Barça’s attack at a crucial stage of La Liga and Champions League campaigns.
This situation has increased pressure on Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old La Masia winger who has stepped up as a central attack figure in Raphinha’s absence. Club medical staff have been closely monitoring Yamal’s workload during his international duties, concerned about overuse. As Goal.com reports, Yamal has even trained separately on a stationary bike to manage his physical condition.
Conflicts have previously arisen between Barcelona and the Spanish national team regarding Yamal’s playing minutes. Meanwhile, Barcelona and Germany coach Hansi Flick expressed frustration over Raphinha’s injury sustained during a seemingly low-stakes friendly, underscoring the risks of international duty in a pivotal phase of the club season.
Balancing international commitments and club priorities remains a delicate task for Barcelona. Controlling player fatigue and avoiding new injuries is critical as the team prepares for key matches against Atlético Madrid in both La Liga and the Champions League quarter-finals. Ensuring that young stars like Yamal stay fit and effective in the coming weeks is imperative for Barça’s ambitions.
