Why Barcelona star did not join teammates on team bus before Benfica clash | OneFootball

A leading member of the attacking ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona was not part of the travelling party which collectively made its way to the team hotel on Tuesday morning.

That’s according to Barca insider Gerard Romero, who points towards Raphinha as the player in question.

Hansi Flick’s troops are of course primed to return to action later this evening, when they welcome Benfica to Catalunya’s capital for a Champions League clash.

As is customary on matchdays, the Blaugrana’s squad, in turn, convened this morning, ahead of boarding a bus to be taken to the team hotel.

One notable absentee from the travelling party, however, as alluded to above, was Raphinha.

The Brazilian did not board the team bus, instead making his way directly to the hotel after the rest of Hansi Flick’s squad.

And Gerard Romero of Jijantes has since provided an explanation for precisely why:

‘Raphinha had some personal matters to deal with, and went straight to the hotel. That’s why he did not go with the team on the bus.’

Conor Laird – GSFN