Barcelona fans get long-awaited Raphinha injury news

Barcelona superstar and Ballon d’Or candidate Raphinha has been out since late September with a pesky hamstring injury that has severely hurt the Barcelona attack and prevented it from being at its best level.

Though Marcus Rashford has stepped up across from Lamine Yamal on that left flank, Raphinha’s explosiveness, unpredictability, and elite end product have all been sorely missed, especially with question marks at striker.

Raphinha’s hamstring has been slow to heal, because after there was optimism he could return for El Clasico against Real Madrid, the battle against Barca’s bitter rivals came and went – with a Barcelona loss, by the way – and no Raphinha to help.

Now, Javi Miguel of Diario AS reports that Raphinha isn’t expected to be back in time for this weekend’s clash against a tough Celta Vigo side, as the Blaugrana will hold him out through the November international break.

However, Barca can expect to have Raphinha back after that, and the Blaugrana are currently earmarking the Nov. 22 battle against one of La Liga’s top sides, Athletic Club, as the Brazilian winger’s return date.

Culers have been waiting for weeks to hear when Raphinha will come back, and it seems like they can write this return date in dark pencil, but not necessarily pen, given his return has already been delayed by weeks.