€40m Barcelona star tipped as leading alternative as Raphinha ruled out for five weeks | OneFootball

There are no matches for FC Barcelona scheduled for this weekend as the March international break, the last one of the season, is currently underway, and several Blaugrana players are representing their national sides.

However, this break has already proved to be quite costly for the Catalans, as one of their most important players, Raphinha, was injured during the friendly game between Brazil and France. According to the medical report published by Barcelona, he is set to remain on the sidelines for the next five weeks.

Raphinha’s absence is particularly concerning given his importance to the team’s overall performance. Earlier this season, Barcelona struggled notably without him, as he missed several key defeats, including clashes against Paris Saint-Germain, Sevilla FC, Real Sociedad, and Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey. His profile remains largely irreplaceable within Flick’s system, making this latest setback even more impactful.

Despite the blow, as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona do have several internal alternatives. The most natural replacement is Marcus Rashford, who is seen as the primary option on the left wing.

Although not always a guaranteed starter, the €40 million-rated English forward has already shown promising signs in Blaugrana colors and is now expected to take on a more prominent role.

Alongside him, Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo offer additional flexibility. Both are naturally attacking midfielders but are capable of operating effectively out wide. Fermin, in particular, has previously delivered standout performances from the wing, making him a strong alternative in Raphinha’s absence.

However, this reshuffle could have a knock-on effect in attack. With Rashford, Fermin, and Olmo likely to be used in wider roles, their chances of featuring centrally may diminish. This comes at a time when there had already been internal discussions about rotating options through the middle alongside Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

Compounding the issue, Barça Atlètic are unlikely to provide reinforcements. The reserve side is currently dealing with its own injury problems, particularly in attack, while also competing for promotion playoff spots. As a result, Flick will have to rely almost entirely on first-team solutions.

Ultimately, while Rashford appears set to lead in the absence of Raphinha, Barcelona will need a collective effort from multiple players to navigate this crucial period until the Brazilian returns to full fitness.