The international break has stripped FC Barcelona of most of their senior squad, but it has also delivered the kind of news the club desperately needed: Raphinha is progressing smoothly and has officially entered the final stretch of his recovery. In a week dominated by injuries, medical disagreements and a thin training group at the Ciutat Esportiva, the Brazilian’s improvement is one of the few bright spots for Hansi Flick and his staff.

With the bulk of the squad scattered across Europe and South America, Barça chose to maintain their usual training rhythm. After Monday’s recovery work, Flick reunited the available players on Wednesday morning in a session that felt almost like a youth-team gathering: Alejandro Balde, Eric García, Gerard Martín, Marc Bernal, Joan García, Eder, and Szczesny formed the small core of first-team and academy players still in Barcelona.

Within that reduced group, the attention quickly shifted toward Raphinha. The winger continues to follow an individualized recovery program, and according to club sources, he has now moved into the final phase of his rehabilitation.

 He has been training separately, focusing on strength and controlled workload — a necessary step before rejoining full sessions. Inside the dressing room, the feeling is unanimous: the player’s evolution has been “very positive.”

How Close Is Raphinha to a Full Return?

While no official return date has been set, the message from the technical staff is optimistic. If his progress continues at this pace, Raphinha should be ready to reintegrate with the squad once club football resumes after the break. His recovery is especially important considering Barça’s demanding calendar across LaLiga, the Champions League, and domestic competitions.

Two other familiar faces also appeared at the session: Gavi and Marc Casadó. Both were present at the Ciutat Esportiva, though neither participated in group drills. Like Raphinha, they continue working through their respective rehabilitation programs, but their timelines remain longer and more cautious.

Barcelona Release Their First Official Message on Lamine Yamal

Alongside the training session came another update — the first formal statement from the club regarding Lamine Yamal. Barcelona confirmed that the 17-year-old has been officially withdrawn from the Spanish national team due to the specific treatment he is undergoing to recover from pubalgia.

The club explained that the objective is for Lamine to be “fully fit after the international break,” wording that aims to ease tensions following the disagreement between Barça and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

The RFEF had already expressed its frustration, stating that the radiofrequency treatment applied to the player’s pubic region was carried out without prior communication with their medical department. According to the Federation’s own report, the recommended recovery window includes 7 to 10 days of rest.

A Rare Moment of Positivity During a Turbulent Break

Between injuries, medical disputes and a thin roster, Barcelona have been juggling more concerns than solutions in recent days. But Raphinha’s encouraging progress offers a rare dose of optimism. As the team awaits the return of their international players and monitors Lamine’s situation closely, the Brazilian winger’s steady improvement stands out as the clearest good news of the week.