Rafinha's Setback Sparks Barca's Clever Plan for the Clasico

Rafinha's Injury Update

The Brazilian Rafinha, Barcelona's winger, is still recovering from the injury he sustained against Real Oviedo, ahead of the latest international break.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the back muscle issue required him to be rested for about three weeks for a full recovery.

The newspaper added that the recovery window was due to end tomorrow, Friday, and Rafinha was expected to train with the group, but that won't happen yet, signaling a slow pace of recovery.

That means he will likely miss the La Liga clash with Girona on Saturday.

It was reported that Rafinha underwent a new MRI today, and the results were positive, increasing the likelihood of him featuring in the Clasico against Real Madrid on October 26.

There is also a chance Rafinha could join Olympiakos on Tuesday in the Champions League, but he is expected to sit on the bench to avoid a setback that could worsen the problem.

Coach Hans Flick now faces two options: not playing Rafinha at all against Olympiakos to protect him, or giving him a few minutes as a substitute to prepare for the next Clasico.

Rafinha's Impact and Barcelona's Evolution Under Flick

Since arriving at Barcelona, Rafinha has played 11 games against Real Madrid across competitions, scoring five goals and providing three assists, helping Barça win seven times.

Rafinha has become a cornerstone of Flick's project and one of the most influential attacking weapons in the squad.

Since Flick's appointment, he has given Rafinha the freedom to operate as a roaming winger, moving between lines and cutting into the depth, making him more effective at creating chances and scoring.

With Flick's high-press and vertical style, the Brazilian winger has become indispensable in attacking transitions, benefiting from his pace, dribbling and shooting abilities.

Statistically, Rafinha scored 34 goals for Barcelona in all competitions in the 2024-25 season, including 18 in La Liga and 13 in the Champions League, plus two in the Super Cup and one in the Copa del Rey.

His defensive contribution also improved, as he participates in pressing and winning balls high up the pitch, aligning with Flick's philosophy of teamwork and tactical discipline.

Moreover, Rafinha is among the most spirited players on the pitch, showing a high fighting spirit and a constant desire to make a difference.

This mental edge has motivated teammates, especially youngsters like Lamine Yamal, who benefited from his experience and ongoing support.

Thanks to this clear growth, Rafinha has become a pillar of Barcelona's new project under Flick and one of the team's brightest stars capable of returning the club to trophy-winning stages.

Rafinha had a historic season with Barcelona, writing his name in gold in the club's history.

The Brazilian winger turned into a goal and assist machine, ending last season with 34 goals and 26 assists across competitions, guiding Barça to one of their best seasons in years, even clinching the domestic treble.

Since the season began, Rafinha has shown notable improvement under Flick, who gave him the trust and responsibility to be the main attacking hub.

The winger moved intelligently on the flanks and inside, with precise shooting and a rare ability to read teammates, becoming a constant threat in every match the team plays.

Rafinha's influence wasn't limited to offense, but extended to the mental and leadership aspects in the locker room. He showed a fighting spirit and professionalism, and his goals in the Champions League and La Liga kept his name on the lips of football's biggest stages.

This historic season makes him a strong Ballon d'Or contender, a sign of his strong return after years of doubts about his ability to shine at a club as big as Barcelona.

But his teammate Lamine Yamal's emergence as a contender for the award took some votes away from Rafinha, as he finished fifth behind Dembélé, Yamal, Vitinha and Mohamed Salah.

Punchline 1: If Rafinha can’t sprint into the Clasico, Barca will simply wing it—because in football, plan A is great, but plan B is where the real comedy writes itself.

Punchline 2: And when the doctor says “three weeks,” football fans hear “three weeks of drama, dozens of headlines, and a few more training ground memes.” That’s Flick’s kind of therapy.