Less wear for Raphinha

Raphinha has stayed in Barcelona during this international break. He has avoided the mini-tour in Asia that the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) organized for these dates. However, his well-known absence has a rather discouraging reason: a muscle injury that has kept him off the pitch for about three weeks, according to the Barça medical department. The winger suffered a tear in the middle third of the right hamstring, sustained in the culé victory against Oviedo (1-3), when he had to be replaced by Lewandowski in the 65th minute.

Friendlies with less impact

In November, there will be another FIFA date, which causes frustration both in Europe and South America, as it coincides with the most demanding time of the season, when titles start to be decided. The CBF, which, like other federations, prioritizes its own interests, has shown some sensibility by planning two friendlies against African teams on European soil. Although official confirmation is still pending, the possible opponents would be Senegal and Tunisia, as long as these teams do not have to play the World Cup 2026 playoffs, the outcome of which will be known in October. The first match of the Seleção, led by Carlo Ancelotti, will take place at the Emirates Stadium in London, and the second at the Stade de France in Paris. With all their stars available, the Brazilian team hopes to fill both stadiums.

Good news for Barça

Among the complications that international call-ups pose for Hansi Flick´s planning, Raphinha´s stay in Europe can be considered positive, especially after what has happened in recent months. The player will save himself the physical and mental wear of long trips, like the one his teammates just made to play in Seoul and Tokyo, or the one he faced himself in September. On that occasion, to the dismay of the culé coaching staff, Carlo Ancelotti decided to push him, despite not having called up any Real Madrid players. The Italian coach, who had already secured qualification for the World Cup 2026, made the Barça winger play against Chile in Maracanã and then at an altitude of 4,100 meters in Bolivia. In that same call-up, Marquinhos also participated, another of the references of the Canarinha, who, like Raphinha, ended up suffering a muscle problem and is currently continuing his recovery in Paris.