Raphinha to miss Champions League quarter-finals as Barca confirm hamstring blow

Raphinha will miss Barcelona’s Champions League double-header against Atletico Madrid after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty.

The Brazil forward sustained the issue in Thursday’s 2-1 friendly defeat to France, and Barca have confirmed he is facing five weeks on the sidelines.

The timing of that injury will come as a big blow to the Blaugrana, who are preparing for a key stretch of their season.

After thrashing Newcastle United 8-3 on aggregate, with Raphinha netting twice in the second leg, Barca have been paired with LaLiga rivals Atletico in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Their matches on April 8 and April 14 will now come too soon for Raphinha, who will also miss key league games for the LaLiga leaders.