Raphinha’s Getafe Return Still Hinges on Full Fitness
Barcelona received welcome medical clarity on Raphinha after the forward’s scare with Brazil, but the finding does not guarantee an immediate return. Tests carried out at the club’s training complex on Friday confirmed edema in the back of his right thigh and found no major injury; his availability for Getafe will depend on reaching full fitness. The latest assessment follows the earlier Raphinha injury tests after his withdrawal from international duty.
MARCA reported on October 2 that Barcelona conducted further tests after Raphinha returned from Brazil. The results confirmed the diagnosis made by Brazil’s medical staff, giving the Blaugranes reassurance that there was no more serious problem while leaving recovery and selection decisions open.
Raphinha had left Brazil’s match against Australia at half-time on Wednesday after feeling muscular discomfort. Brazil’s initial tests detected edema in the posterior part of his right thigh, and the national team released him from the squad as a precaution rather than risk aggravating the issue.
After the long journey from Australia, Raphinha arrived back in Barcelona on Thursday afternoon. He rested before attending the club’s training complex on Friday morning for further examinations, spending a little over an hour there as the medical staff checked the initial diagnosis.
Barcelona did not initially plan to issue a separate medical update beyond the information Brazil had already provided. The club’s caution reflects the fact that this was not the first time Raphinha had experienced a physical problem in the same area while with his national team.
The concern also comes while Raphinha has been a major attacking reference for the Catalans, scoring 14 goals during their strong start to the season. His importance, alongside his previous discomfort in the same area, helps explain why the club is unwilling to rush him back; supporters had reason to worry about a possible relapse in the same area.
Raphinha has not been ruled out of Barcelona’s game against Getafe on Saturday, October 10, but the decision is conditional. Hansi Flick and the medical staff do not intend to force his return: he will be available only if he is fully fit, with more recovery time preferred if he is not. Their concern is that a setback could keep him out for a substantially longer period, so the confirmed edema diagnosis offers relief without making his comeback date certain.
