English Premier League
Raphinha returns to Barcelona discreetly ahead of Friday medical checks

Raphinha has returned to Barcelona from international duty with Brazil and is due to undergo medical tests on Friday to assess a right-thigh injury.
The Barcelona forward arrived in the city on Thursday after travelling from Australia via Dubai, where he had been with the Brazil squad during the current international break.
Raphinha was forced to cut short Brazil’s second friendly against Australia after the national team’s medical staff detected oedema in his right thigh. The injury prevented him from completing the match.
His journey back to Spain began in Brisbane. He then flew to Dubai before boarding a scheduled service to Barcelona. He had initially been expected to arrive at about 13:00, but landed later than planned.
Barcelona and Raphinha made efforts to keep his return as private as possible. Security staff at El Prat Airport carried out measures to keep reporters away from the arrivals area in Terminal 1, meaning journalists did not see the player leave the airport.
Medical assessment will now determine the precise extent of the problem. According to sources within Barcelona, the tests are scheduled for Friday.
There is optimism at the club that the issue will not prove more serious than the oedema identified by Brazil’s medical team.
