Raphinha Ruled Out of El Clasico as Barcelona Suffer Injury Blow Ahead of Madrid Clash

Barcelona have been dealt a major setback ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated El Clasico against Real Madrid, as Brazilian winger Raphinha has been ruled out after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

According to ESPN, the 28-year-old, who has been sidelined since September 25 following Barcelona’s win at Real Oviedo, experienced discomfort during training on Friday, just days after making his long-awaited return to team sessions.

The injury comes as a blow to manager Hansi Flick, who was reportedly considering naming Raphinha on the bench for the trip to the Santiago Bernabéu. The Brazilian will now face a few more weeks on the sidelines before returning to action.

Real Madrid head into the encounter two points clear of Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table, adding more pressure on the Catalans, who dominated the fixture last season by winning all four meetings between the two sides.

💭 Opinion: Barcelona’s Creativity Faces a Real Test Without Raphinha

Raphinha’s absence might not completely derail Barcelona’s chances, but it certainly changes the dynamics of their attack. The Brazilian has often been the spark on the wings, known for his direct runs, work rate, and ability to stretch defenses — all qualities that could have been crucial against a well-drilled Madrid side.

For Hansi Flick, this is now a tactical puzzle. Without Raphinha, Lamine Yamal may shoulder more responsibility on the flanks, and João Félix could be asked to deliver a more creative role behind Robert Lewandowski.

What makes this moment even trickier is the timing — El Clasico isn’t just another fixture; it’s a statement game, one that defines confidence and momentum in a season. Losing a player like Raphinha just before kickoff will test Barcelona’s squad depth and adaptability.

Still, if there’s one thing this Barcelona side has shown, it’s resilience. Their young guns have stepped up in big moments before — and Sunday will be another opportunity to prove that the Catalan identity runs deeper than any single player.

⚽ El Clasico awaits — and even without Raphinha, Barcelona must show that their fire burns just as bright. 🔵🔴