Barcelona won’t be able to call upon Raphinha for Sunday’s trip to Celta Vigo in La Liga as he’s still not ready to return.
According to Diario AS, the Brazilian is “completely ruled out” even though his
recovery is going well.
Barca will not rush him back, after seeing him suffer a setback before El Clasico that left Hansi Flick furious, and will now wait until after the international break.
Barca’s first game back is against Athletic Club and looks set to be the date when Raphinha finally reappears after several weeks on the sidelines.
Goalkeeper Joan Garcia is also expected to make his comeback in that game as Barca’s injury problems start to ease somewhat.
Flick will still have Pedri, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the sidelines, while Lamine Yamal’s pubalgia remains an issue.
Barcelona are thought to be hoping he won’t be called up by Spain on Friday for their next World Cup qualifiers, but you get the feeling that Luis de la Fuente will do exactly that.
