Raphinha Injury And FIFA Calendar Criticism: Barcelona President Laporta Speaks

Barcelona president Joan Laporta blames FIFA for Raphinha’s hamstring injury, which rules the winger out of the Champions League quarter-finals. The Brazil international is expected to miss about five weeks, so Barcelona will be without Raphinha for both matches against Atletico Madrid, as well as several LaLiga games during a tight title race.

The injury occurred during Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to France in a friendly in Foxborough last week. Medical tests organised by the Brazilian Football Confederation identified a problem in the biceps femoris of the right thigh. Raphinha then travelled back to Barcelona to start treatment, while the club shared the diagnosis through an official communication in Catalan.

Laporta spoke to Mon Esport on Thursday and argued that FIFA must adjust the international match calendar to protect key club fixtures. Laporta believes friendly matches have too much weight in the current schedule and place important players at extra risk during decisive months of the European season.

"It's infuriating that one of your best players gets injured in a friendly between France and Brazil, Laporta said. You can't leave the responsibility of playing or not with the player, because they're professionals who give everything for their country, but FIFA have to come up with a calendar that has the biggest club competitions in mind. We're playing for our lives at this point of the season. It's shocking, but it's an age-old discussion now."

The absence comes while Barcelona lead LaLiga by four points over Real Madrid, adding pressure before important domestic fixtures. Raphinha’s influence this season is clear in attack, where only Lamine Yamal has scored more goals under head coach Hansi Flick across all competitions.

Raphinha has 19 goals and seven assists, while Lamine Yamal has 21 goals in total for Flick’s side. The loss of Raphinha against Atletico Madrid in Europe, combined with league commitments, may push other attacking players to cover those numbers during the crucial closing stretch.

Raphinha’s injury links a single friendly in Foxborough with major consequences for Barcelona’s season, affecting the Champions League quarter-final tie and LaLiga leadership. Laporta’s anger at FIFA’s schedule reflects a long-running club-versus-country debate that again intensifies when a leading performer is ruled out during a decisive period.