An update on the wellbeing of Barcelona attacker Raphinha has been forthcoming late this afternoon.
Wide-man Raphinha, of course, set pulses racing across the Barcelona fanbase earlier this week.
This came upon the Brazilian, after being afforded his latest start, limping out of the club’s Supercopa de España semi-final meeting with Osasuna.
Ensuing medical tests went on to reveal an injury to Raphinha’s left hamstring, with his ‘recovery to determine his availability’.
Ruled out of Sunday’s Super Cup final between Barca and Real, though, just when could the former Leeds United man mark his return to the pitch?
Initial reports pointed towards Raphinha being a major doubt for the first leg of the Blaugrana’s Champions League Last-16 tie versus Italian champions Napoli in a little over a month’s time.
If the latest comments on the part of Xavi Hernández are anything to go by, though, then it appears that he could yet have the 27-year-old fit and available for selection upon his side marking their return to European competition.
“Yes, I hope Raphinha makes it to the Champions League game,” Xavi explained, as cited by Matt Law of SportsMole.
He also went on to add that:
“I have a clear idea of the name of the players against Madrid.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
