Raphinha cleared by Barcelona after thigh scare with Brazil

📰 Barcelona captain Raphinha, who returned early from Brazil duty with thigh discomfort, has been given the all-clear — "no injury" — after detailed tests at the club. 📌 Key points ⚽ Raphinha scored a penalty against Australia before being substituted at half-time 🩹 Brazil's tests showed mild swelling at the back of his right thigh 🔁 He returned to Barcelona instead of travelling for the friendly in India ✅ Club tests confirmed there is no structural damage 🗓️ He is expected to be available for Getafe at the Camp Nou on the 10th 📝 What happened ⚽ Raphinha scored from the penalty spot in Brazil's 4-2 friendly win over Australia on 30 September. However, he felt discomfort at the back of his right thigh and was replaced at half-time. 🩺 The Brazilian Football Confederation reported mild muscle swelling at the back of his right thigh and released him from the squad. Raphinha skipped the friendly against India in Kolkata and headed straight back to Barcelona. ✅ Further tests by the club's medical staff found no muscle tear or structural damage. According to ESPN, Raphinha missed 25 games last season with a hamstring problem in his right leg, so the club examined him carefully given it was the same area. 🔥 This season Raphinha has even taken on the No. 9 role under Flick and has 14 goals in all competitions. Goal.com reported that he leads the La Liga scoring charts with 12 goals in the league alone. 📊 By the numbers • Brazil 4-2 Australia (Raphinha 1 goal, penalty) • 14 goals in all competitions this season • Games missed through injury last season: 25 (ESPN) 🔭 Why it matters Had their captain and top scorer been ruled out, Barcelona's entire October schedule could have been thrown into disarray. After Getafe on 10 October come Galatasaray, PSG and El Clásico on the 25th. He is available, but given his injury history, the question is how Flick will manage his minutes.