Barcelona's Raphinha Returns as Flick Eyes La Liga Title
Barcelona welcomes Raphinha back from injury as Hansi Flick's side closes in on the La Liga title. Discover how the Catalans plan to secure the championship and potentially break records.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick welcomed winger Raphinha back from injury on Friday, May 1, 2026, as the club intensifies its pursuit of the Spanish La Liga title. The return of the Brazilian international provides a significant boost for the Catalans as they aim to secure their second successive league championship.
Flick's squad currently holds an 11-point lead over second-place Real Madrid. Barcelona could clinch the La Liga title this weekend if they defeat Osasuna on Saturday and Los Blancos drop points against Espanyol the following day. An upcoming El Clásico against Real Madrid on May 10 could also seal their title defense if not secured earlier.
Raphinha's return is crucial after he suffered a hamstring injury in March while playing for Brazil, which sidelined him during Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final exit to Atletico Madrid. Coach Flick praised the winger, stating, "Rapha is a player who always gives us 100 percent, when he's on the pitch or in training. His mentality, his attitude, is always 100 percent and that helps us a lot."
Flick emphasized Raphinha's positive influence, adding, "I think also for the team it's great to have him back, because he's one of our captains, he's positive and can give us these things that we need." The coach confirmed Raphinha would travel with the squad, hinting at his potential involvement.
Meanwhile, Barcelona is still without teenage star Lamine Yamal, who is recovering from a hamstring problem that will keep him out until the end of the season. Flick provided an update on the 18-year-old, noting, "He's doing good, so the evolution is good, I think we will see him in the World Cup. He has time, more time, to recover, to come back."
Beyond the title, Barcelona has an opportunity to match the all-time record of 100 points in a Spanish league campaign. This feat was first achieved by Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid in 2012 and then by Tito Vilanova's Barcelona side in 2013. To reach this milestone, the club must win all of its remaining five league matches.
Despite the records, Flick maintains focus on immediate goals. "We are only focussed on the next match, (but) of course we want to win every game between now and the end of the season," he said. "Our job is, in every match, to play on our best level, to learn from the game for the next game and for our training. So this is our philosophy, our attitude, our mentality."