Fakayejo Paul
FC Barcelona board members and sporting staff have been left frustrated after Carlo Ancelotti officially included Raphinha in Brazil’s squad for their upcoming November friendlies in Southeast Asia.
The Seleção are scheduled to fly to Singapore to play Japan on Saturday, November 14, followed by a match against hosts Singapore on Tuesday, November 17.
Why Barcelona Are Alarmed
- Recent Muscle Injury:Raphinha only recently returned to first-team action after suffering a right hamstring injury while playing for Brazil against Australia in Brisbane during the September international window.
- 10,900 km Travel Strain:A mid-season round trip of nearly 22,000 kilometers from Catalonia to Southeast Asia presents a massive physical toll for a player who has yet to regain 90-minute match sharpness.
- Repeat Setbacks:Barcelona medical staff note that Raphinha has picked up physical issues during his last three international call-ups—including a March hamstring strain that previously sidelined him during crucial Champions League knockout ties.
Domestic Protection vs European Disadvantage
What has heightened tension within Joan Laporta’s board is that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) agreed to exempt domestic Brasileirão players from the squad to protect their ongoing title and relegation battles.However, no such exemptions were granted to European clubs.
Barcelona’s sporting management team is currently in direct dialogue with Ancelotti and CBF directors, attempting to negotiate a strict workload restriction or potential exemption before players report for international duty.