Barcelona plan to assess Raphinha today after more than 20-hour journey from Australia

Barcelona are poised to evaluate Raphinha's condition today, following his early return from Brazil duty due to a muscle issue. The club plans to perform medical tests as soon as possible, with the athlete's arrival in Spain being the catalyst for the examination. Raphinha's fatigue from the lengthy flight is a crucial factor in determining whether the assessment can happen immediately.

Earlier this month, he left Brazil's squad after experiencing discomfort in his right thigh during a match against Australia. Barcelona now seeks a definitive diagnosis, especially considering his prior problems in the same region. The forward was substituted against Australia after feeling the issue, and subsequent Brazilian tests revealed edema in the affected area.

He has since been released from international duty and will continue his recovery with Barcelona. Barcelona's medical team aims to determine the cause of the edema and any potential underlying muscle damage. Given Raphinha's history of thigh issues last season, which kept him out for extended periods, the situation is more concerning.

Barcelona will be cautious, given the player's significance to coach Flick's team this season. Instead of a mere assessment of whether he can train, the club will conduct a comprehensive medical examination to gauge how long he might need before returning to full activity.