El Classico: Raphinha’s availability for Barcelona in doubt as he misses training

FC Barcelona is battling a number of fitness issues just over 48 hours before the first El Clasico of the 2025–26 season.

Jules Kounde was reportedly sidelined for today’s match against Real Madrid after missing two straight training sessions because of a knock.

Raphinha is now the one whose availability for the trip to the Spanish capital is uncertain.

In fact, Raphinha missed Friday’s team training session, which marks a setback in his recuperation from a right hamstring injury he suffered at the end of September, according to SPORT.

Even before his teammates left for training, the winger left the Ciutat Esportiva. As a result, there is currently uncertainty regarding the Barcelona captain’s availability for El Clasico.

After sustaining a hamstring injury against Real Oviedo in late September, Raphinha had remained sidelined. He had returned to training this week, though, and was anticipated to be cleared for Sunday’s highly anticipated match.

Given that he has been out of action for precisely one month, it was improbable that he would start even if he had finished the practices today and tomorrow as planned.

Raphinha’s participation in the game is seriously called into question, though, given that he did not train with the rest of Hansi Flick’s squad during their penultimate session.

However, Frenkie de Jong trained as usual this morning, which is good news for Barcelona.

Having fully recovered from the gastroenteritis that kept him from joining the team yesterday, the Dutch midfielder was the first player to arrive at the training ground.