Raphinha: The absence that may have cost Barcelona in the Champions League.

Barcelona is feeling the absence of Raphinha? The uncomfortable truth behind the Brazilian’s absences that is shaking the Catalans

After Barcelona’s bitter elimination from the Champions League, even after a victory over Atlético de Madrid in the second leg of the quarter-finals, it becomes impossible not to question the real impact of Raphinha’s absence on the team. The Brazilian winger, who seemed on the verge of being discarded by Xavi due to his limited playing time, found new life under Hansi Flick, transforming into a key player for Barcelona.

Under Flick’s reign, Raphinha not only regained prominence but also took on a leadership role, becoming one of the team’s captains. His influence both on and off the pitch is undeniable, and the way he has led Barcelona, even when not wearing the armband, is one of the greatest achievements of this era. Despite a slight decline in performance in 2025/26, the Brazilian has already amassed an impressive 19 goals and seven assists in all competitions this season.

But what happens when Raphinha is absent? The answer is not encouraging for Blaugrana fans. His latest injury, the third to his thigh muscle since August, coincided with a sharp decline in Barcelona’s results. A glaring example was the home defeat by 2-0 to Atlético de Madrid, a feat that had not occurred in 20 years at Camp Nou. During another period without the Brazilian, the Colchoneros inflicted a humiliating 4-0 defeat in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, increasing the Catalan suffering.

Of course, Barcelona has also won some games in Raphinha’s absence, such as the victory against Espanyol, which was on a negative streak of ten games without a win, and a triumph in the Cup against Albacete. Still, these matches do not serve as a parameter to measure the true importance of the Brazilian. The real reflection of his absence came earlier in the season when he missed nine consecutive games in all competitions. During this period, the team suffered heavy defeats, including a 4-1 loss against Sevilla, a 2-1 defeat in El Clásico against Real Madrid, and a 3-3 draw with Club Brugge in the Champions League.

In summary, Barcelona has struggled to maintain its level in the most decisive matches without Raphinha. Although Marcus Rashford has been the natural replacement for the Brazilian and has posted remarkable numbers for an athlete in his first season at the club, especially coming off the bench, the Englishman has yet to reach the caliber of the Brazilian winger. This is a reality that Barcelona will have to face if it wants to regain dominance on a large scale.

With the future of the club at stake, the question that remains is clear: can Barcelona succeed without its most charismatic and productive leader? The answer, for now, seems to lean towards the Brazilian’s side. His absence is leaving deep marks, and the Catalan club must find a quick solution if it wants to avoid further disappointments this season.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.