Rafinha’s Injury Setback Threatens Barca’s Clasico Momentum: A Glimmer of Hope Amid the Storm
14 October 2025
Rafinha setback clouds Barca’s Clasico plan
Brazilian winger Rafinha Diaz, Barcelona's star, suffered a setback during his rehabilitation from an injury, according to a Spanish newspaper report.
Sports daily Sport noted that the hamstring issue appeared more serious than initially thought, with the injury to the back of the thigh bleeding into the already fragile comeback timeline.
The report added that the player felt discomfort while trying to return to the pitch, and he again experienced pain around the back of the leg.
He was due to return gradually this week, getting minutes against Girona and Olympiakos, but the setback halted those plans.
The newspaper pointed out that Rafinha’s involvement against Real Madrid in the Clasico at the end of the month is now in doubt.
At present the Brazilian winger is training in the gym and has not taken part in team training sessions.
Since the start of the season, Rafinha has appeared in seven matches, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Rafinha’s impact and Barca’s evolving balance
Last season Rafinha proved to be more than a supporting winger for Polish striker Robert Lewandowski; he finished second in the team’s scoring with 34 goals behind Lewandowski’s 42 and topped the assists chart with 23, ahead of Lamine Yamal’s 21.
He also logged the most minutes of any Barca player (about 4,661) and was the second-most used in appearances (57 matches, 53 starts).
Rafinha’s influence extended beyond domestic duties: he finished as one of the top scorers in the Champions League with 13 goals, level with Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund, and he sat fifth in the Ballon d’Or contention, ahead of Kylian Mbappé, before Inter’s late run prevented Barca from reaching a European final.
The Catalan side, enjoying a standout season under Flick’s guidance, leaned on a spine featuring center-backs Inigo Martinez, the midfield craft of Pedri, and the attacking brilliance of Lewandowski and Yamal.
Crucially, Barca’s performance has never relied solely on Rafinha, but his contributions have made him a core figure in Flick’s system—proof that leadership and energy matter as much as technique.
With Rafinha back, Barca hope his return will provide a massive boost both morally and technically at a moment when they are chasing domestic and European goals, especially ahead of the Clasico with Real Madrid.
Rafinha was born in Porto Alegre in 1996, began his pro career at Avaí in Brazil, then moved to Europe via Vitória de Guimarães, catching eyes with his pace and skill on the wing.
He later joined Sporting Lisbon, then Leeds United in 2020, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s promising attackers thanks to precise distribution and a nose for goal.
In the summer of 2022, Rafinha moved to Barcelona in a roughly €60 million deal, fulfilling a dream of playing for the Catalan club.
In his first season, Rafinha contributed goals and assists that helped Barca clinch La Liga, and he continued to shine under Flick’s leadership.
He has also become a mainstay for Brazil, representing the Selecao at the 2022 World Cup and cementing his status as one of the sport’s modern wingers.
Punchline 1: If injuries came with a blockbuster soundtrack, Rafinha’s comeback would still be a cliffhanger that wins the audience every time.
Punchline 2: Barca’s medical department should consider selling popcorn—nobody loves a good drama like a delayed return before Clasico season!
