The decision by Brazil's national team coach Carlo Ancelotti to call up Barcelona star Raphinha for the friendlies against Japan and Singapore has sparked widespread controversy in the Spanish media, amid concerns about his physical readiness and the possibility of him suffering a new injury.
Spanish journalist Alfredo Martinez expressed reservations about the player's call-up, indicating that he has not fully regained his physical fitness and has not played a full match since returning to the field, questioning the rationale behind involving him in two friendly matches at this stage.
Despite the injuries he has faced, Raphinha has delivered impressive offensive performances in a Barcelona jersey during the 2025/2026 season, participating in 33 matches across various competitions, during which he scored 21 goals and provided 7 assists, totaling 28 goal contributions, according to statistics from FBref.
According to the official website of the Catalan club, Raphinha ranked second on the team's scoring list with 21 goals, trailing his teammate Lamine Yamal, who scored 24 goals.
Concerns are escalating regarding the player's call-up due to the long-haul flight he will undertake, estimated at about 22,000 kilometers round trip, to participate in the scheduled matches against Japan on November 14 and Singapore on the 17th of the same month, on Singaporean soil.
The concerns are not limited to travel fatigue; Raphinha has a history of muscular injuries during his recent appearances with the Brazilian national team, as Spain's "Cadena Ser" radio reported that he encountered physical issues during his last three call-ups, including an injury in March during a friendly against France in Boston, and a muscle problem during the World Cup, as well as an injury to the back of his right thigh during the last international break, which kept him out of the matches against Galatasaray and Real Betis.
These developments bring back the recurring issue between major clubs and national teams regarding player protection, especially during recovery phases from injuries, as national teams seek to benefit from their stars, while clubs fear potential physical setbacks that could affect their season's progress.
Between Ancelotti's desire to utilize Raphinha's services and Barcelona's concerns about his readiness, the call-up remains contentious, with questions about its appropriateness at this timing and the potential risks for both the player and the Catalan club.