The last case that Hansi Flick has handled head-on

BarcelonaNovember 25, 2025. Raphinha returns after two months out. On September 25, he left the match against Oviedo, apparently with a minor hamstring injury. His absence lasted until the following month, when he was expected to return for El Clásico at the Bernabéu on October 26. Four days before, he suffered a relapse of the injury, forcing him to miss the game. It was a shock for the player himself, for Hansi Flick, and for the dressing room, all aware of the Brazilian's importance to the team. It was also a tough blow because this wasn't Raphinha's first relapse. As reportedThe AthleticThe attacker had already suffered a relapse of the same injury two weeks earlier, during the international break in October. Raphinha had been given an excessive workload in training too early, in order to be ready for the match against Real Madrid. His injury worsened, and in a private meeting with some journalists at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Flick admitted that they had overdone it. The diplomatic coach acted as a buffer against a growing distrust among several players towards Julio Tous, Barça's head of physical preparation, who this season had also been in charge of leading the players' rehabilitation. The friction had arisen regarding the players' rehabilitation, but the strength training sessions led by Tous, which a year ago had even caused some dizziness due to overexertion within the squad, also ended up losing intensity.

After reappearing against Chelsea on November 25, Raphinha – along with the returns of Joan Garcia and Pedri – was a driving force for Barça. However, on January 31, the Brazilian's absences returned due to injury. That day he was substituted at halftime against Elche. He had already missed the match against Real Sociedad as a precaution. With Raphinha in the starting lineup this season, Barça has seventeen wins and one draw. Without the Brazilian in the starting eleven, the record stands at twelve wins, one draw, and six losses. This Friday, the former Leeds United player returned to the pitch with the group. As this newspaper has learned, the expectation is that Raphinha will receive medical clearance this Monday and reappear in the squad against Girona.

The reasons for Raphinha's recent absences

On February 2nd, the club announced: "First-team player Raphael Dias, Raphinha, has an overload in his right adductor muscle. He will be unavailable as a precaution for the match against Albacete, and the recovery period will be one week." Aside from the Albacete game, the number 11 also missed the matches against Mallorca and the painful defeat against Atlético de Madrid. According to ARA, Raphinha's absence has been extended by more than a week than expected because the player is particularly sensitive to even the slightest discomfort or discomfort. There are two main reasons for the Brazilian's caution. Firstly, he has doubts about some of the activation exercises proposed by the club, stemming from the misgivings he experienced after two relapses between October and November. Like other players in the squad, Raphinha also works with external physical trainers. On the other hand, there are suspicions within the club of interference from the Brazilian Football Confederation, which has reportedly asked the Brazilian player to be cautious so as not to jeopardize his participation in next summer's World Cup. This is something Flick is not at all happy about, but they acknowledge that it's "a common occurrence with many players during World Cup seasons," as reported by ARA from Sant Joan Despí.

"To be honest, I'm not happy. He's a very important player for us. We'll see what he'll have to change and what we'll have to change. Now the important phase of the season begins, and we need everyone. When he can't play, it's not good," said Flick after Raphinha suffered another injury against Elche. "We have to take it step by step. We have to take care of Raphinha because he always gives his all, with high intensity, and when he feels any discomfort, we have to protect him and take a step back. He's feeling something in his muscle, and that's normal. You have to take care of your body; it's the most important thing for a professional player, and that's what he's doing." When asked if Raphinha feared suffering another relapse, he added, "Raphinha is expected to return to the squad this Monday for the visit to Montilivi." It's worth remembering that when he wasn't recognized with individual awards, the manager, who doesn't usually dwell on these matters, said it was an injustice," notes a person familiar with the day-to-day workings of the dressing room. Flick greeted the Brazilian with a smile and a hug at Saturday's training session.