Barcelona, the leader of the Spanish league, suffered a significant blow after it was confirmed that their Brazilian winger Raphinha will be out for approximately five weeks due to a muscle injury.

The player was injured while participating with the Brazilian national team in the friendly match they lost 2-1 against France, which was held in the United States, where he suffered a tear in the hamstring muscle.

The Catalan club clarified in an official statement that the player will return to Barcelona to begin his treatment program, noting that the initial period of his absence is estimated to be about five weeks.

Raphinha is considered one of the influential players in the team this season, which means his absence from the UEFA Champions League quarter-final matches against Atletico Madrid, scheduled for April 8 and 14.

The team will also miss him in several La Liga matches, most notably against Atletico Madrid, in addition to matches against Espanyol, Celta Vigo, and Getafe.

The coaching staff hopes that the 29-year-old player, who has scored 19 goals this season, will recover in time to participate in the Clasico against Real Madrid on May 10, or to appear in a potential Champions League semi-final, should the team qualify to face Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon.