Barcelona’s Brazilian international midfielder Rafinha is set for a spell on the sidelines after the Catalan giants confirmed he has pulled his right hamstring on Tuesday.
“Rafinha Alcantara has pulled a hamstring muscle and will have to sit out this Thursday’s Copa del Rey first leg away to Real Sociedad,” the club said in a statement.
“The club doctors will need to monitor the Brazilian’s progress before determining his availability for other matches.”
Rafinha has been a key part of the Barca squad this season, scoring six goals in 18 appearances despite missing the start of the campaign as he helped his country to Olympic gold on home soil in Rio.
Should Barca see off Sociedad over two legs, the Spanish champions face a congested fixture list with 16 matches to come in the next two months. – Agence France-Presse
