Raphinha withdrew from international duty with a right thigh injury after he was substituted at half-time in Brazil’s match against Australia.
“The tests show something,” Barcelona boss Hansi Flick told the media.
“It’s not a serious injury, but we have to be careful because he had three injuries last year, and we have to take care of him.”
Flick defended Raphinha’s decision to want to play for Brazil.
“It’s the national team and everyone wants to play for their national team,” he said. “That’s Raphinha’s mentality. Always give 100%.”
Although the setback does not appear to be major, the timing has not been ideal.
“We must reflect on whether it was necessary for him to play in Australia, travelling so many thousands of kilometres,” added Flick. “It’s incredible. They have to choose friendly matches and in Europe it is not possible because of the Nations League.”
With tough tests to come, Flick will want all his leading attackers available and hope even a short spell on the sidelines won’t disrupt Raphinha’s rhythm.
The situation has also presented Flick with a familiar dilemma. At the start of the season, there were concerns Barcelona had no established number nine after veteran Poland striker Robert Lewandowski left the club.
Raphinha has mainly been playing as a false nine this season, rather than his usual role on the wing and the team have looked unstoppable.
They sit top of La Liga, five points clear of Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, with Real Madrid a point further back in fourth place, and thrashed Feyenoord 5-1 in their Champions League opener. With 36 goals scored and eight conceded, they’ve been dominant at both ends of the pitch.
For now, fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus – a deadline-day arrival from Arsenal in September – is likely to cover Raphinha’s absence for the next two matches against Getafe on Saturday and then the European trip to Galatasaray.
Flick, though, has huge depth in his Barcelona squad, and Anthony Gordon, Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi could all play as a false nine if necessary.
