Raphinha injury update: Barcelona investigating worrying pattern after latest Brazil setback | OneFootball

Barcelona are not only trying to determine the extent of Raphinha’s latest injury, but also to understand why the same problem keeps returning.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s medical and physical staff will speak with Raphinha about his medical examinations at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Friday. 

The aim would be to identify whether there is an underlying pattern behind his recent problems with the Brazilian national team.

The concern is that his last three injuries during international camps have all affected the right thigh.

Barcelona want to find a pattern

Rather than treating the latest setback in isolation, Barça want to examine how Raphinha prepares for matches with Brazil and whether anything differs from his routine at club level.

Raphinha is back in Barcelona. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

That includes looking at training methods, warm-ups and other physical routines that could potentially be contributing to the recurring issue.

The conversation with Raphinha is therefore expected to be an important part of Friday’s assessment. 

Barcelona want to establish whether there is a common factor connecting the three episodes before deciding how best to prevent another recurrence.

The latest problem emerged during Brazil’s friendly against Australia. Raphinha started the match but was unable to continue after experiencing discomfort in his right thigh.

Raphinha’s injury history has raised Barcelona’s concern

Notably, Raphinha’s injury pattern stretches back to March.

Raphinha was injured against Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Raphinha suffered a right hamstring strain during Brazil’s friendly against France, forcing him to miss Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid.

His next issue came during the World Cup in June. A right-leg hamstring injury sustained against Haiti ruled him out of Brazil’s subsequent matches against Scotland and Japan. 

Although he returned to the squad for the round-of-16 meeting with Norway after being medically cleared, he remained an unused substitute.

Now another right-thigh problem has brought him back to Barcelona earlier than planned.

For Barça, the priority is not only to get Raphinha fit for the next match. They need to establish why the injuries keep appearing in the same area and whether something can be changed to reduce the risk.