Barcelona loses Brazilian forward Raphinha for 5 weeks

Out for five weeks

 Barcelona, the reigning Spanish league champions and current leaders, have suffered a major blow with the loss of their Brazilian winger Raphinha for five weeks due to a muscle injury sustained while on international duty.

Raphinha suffered a hamstring tear during Brazil's 2-1 friendly defeat to France on Thursday in the United States.

Barcelona said in a statement, "The player is returning to Barcelona to begin appropriate treatment. The initial estimate for his recovery period is five weeks."

Raphinha is considered one of the Catalan team's key players this season and will miss both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against local rivals Atlético Madrid, who will visit Barcelona on April 8, before hosting the return leg on April 14.

The 29-year-old, who has scored 19 goals this season, will miss La Liga matches against Atlético Madrid, Espanyol, Celta Vigo, and Getafe.

Barcelona are hoping Raphinha will be fit for the league Clásico against rivals Real Madrid on May 10, or for a potential Champions League semi-final against either Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon on April 29.