Raphinha injury update: here’s how long the Barcelona winger will be out for

FC Barcelona winger Raphinha will not play in his side’s Copa del Rey quarter-final game against Albacete after suffering what the club called “an overload in the adductor muscle” in the game against Elche.

The Catalans made the short hop down Spain’s east coast to play the team placed firmly in mid-table but that can - and have - caused top teams a number of problems this season.

However, the win was more than routine for Hansi Flick’s side, who created over 6 goals worth of xG, had 30 shots with 13 ‘big chances’. In the end, thankfully from an Elche perspective, the game finished with the scoreboard reading ‘only’ 1-3 to the league leaders.

However, the former Leeds United winger only lasted 45 minutes, coming off for Marcus Rashford, who went on to score Barcelona’s third goal in Alicante.

In a statement, the club said:

Raphinha is suffering from an overload in the adductor muscle of his right leg. As a precaution, he will miss tomorrow’s match against Albacete, and his recovery period is expected to be one week.

The winger himself published something of a statement, saying “don’t worry, Barça fans, my braids are still intact,” calming fears of a more serious issue.

Albacete made the final 8 of the Copa del Rey after beating Real Madrid in an historic game at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte. That match saw the home side go ahead twice before 90 minutes, with a Franco Mastantuono equaliser coming just before half-time.

However, it was when the game ticked past the 90-minute mark that history was made. Gonzalo García scored late on to draw level on the scoreboard but as Madrid’s player piled forward looking for a late winner, the ball was sent forward to Jefté, the scorer of Albacete’s second on 82 minutes, and he bent a shot around Dani Carvajal to give his side the win and write his team’s name into the history books.

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The Copa del Rey game, held at Albacete’s Estadio Carlos Belmonte, will kick-off on Tuesday 3 February at 3pm ET. Valencia host Athletic Club the following day, and Real Sociedad play Alavés; Real Betis will travel to the capital to play Atlético Madrid a day later.

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