Rafinha’s Comeback Countdown: Barça Gears Up for Atletico Madrid Run of Games
2 April 2026
Training Update
Barcelona resumed training on Thursday after a day of rest, with its international players back on the pitch, as they gear up for a La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid and a Champions League tie.
Rafinha’s Return and Squad News
Barcelona faces Atletico Madrid three times in ten days, starting with Saturday’s Liga Round 30 clash. The Brazilian Rafinha was not present at the training facilities and is expected to join Barcelona in the next hours to begin rehab, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The newspaper adds that the club expects him to join the squad to start his weekend rehab plan. He began rehabilitation in Brazil after sustaining a right hamstring injury, and Barça had granted him permission to start rehab there, an injury that would sideline him for about five weeks.
Head coach Hans Flick will rely on other internationals; the report notes that 15 Barça players were called to their national teams during this period, preparing for the Atletico Madrid fixture. He will be able to rely on Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde, who had been training with the squad for a few days and have recovered from their injuries.
The French international had been dealing with a right hamstring issue in his left leg since March 4, and the left-back had a lower hamstring issue in the left leg, with a recovery time of about a month.
Meanwhile, Dutchman Frenkie de Jong continues to train in the gym and will not be available for the Atletico Madrid match, as he recovers from an injury suffered at the end of February; he did not train with teammates today, but could rejoin tomorrow depending on his health.
Punchline: If football seasons came with a warranty, Rafinha’s return would be covered by a shiny five-week policy. And Barca’s calendar is basically a soap opera — tune in next week for another dramatic twist.
