Barcelona Asks Brazil to Limit Raphinha's Playing Time Over Injury Fears
FC Barcelona has asked the Brazilian Football Confederation to limit Raphinha's playing time during friendlies in Singapore to prevent recurring injuries.
FC Barcelona has formally requested the Brazilian Football Confederation to limit Raphinha's playing time during the upcoming international friendlies in Singapore, citing mounting concerns over recurring injuries. The Brazilian winger, who has already arrived in Singapore, has suffered injuries in each of his last three call-ups with the Selecao.
The Catalan club's anxiety is deeply rooted in Raphinha's recent medical history. The forward, who has netted 19 goals across all competitions this season including 15 in the league, sustained a thigh injury against France in March which forced him to miss the Champions League quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid. Furthermore, he picked up knocks during the World Cup and left the national team camp in Australia early in October due to right leg edema and hamstring discomfort, subsequently missing matches against Getafe and Galatasaray.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick openly voiced his concerns following Sunday's match at the Metropolitano, stating his desire to see the player's workload reduced. According to reports from Brazilian media, the Spanish club and the Brazilian federation are coordinating closely to manage his minutes and mitigate the risk of another setback while on international duty against Japan and Singapore.
