Laporta Calls on FIFA to Review International Calendar After Raphinha Injury
Spanish club Barcelona announced that its Brazilian winger, Raphinha, sustained a hamstring injury while playing for the Brazilian national team in a friendly match against France. The player is expected to be sidelined for five weeks, posing a significant technical challenge for the team in the upcoming period.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta urged the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to intervene and review the current international calendar. He emphasized that the injury of one of the team's most prominent players in a friendly fixture causes considerable discontent.
Laporta stated, “We must somehow ask the international federation to establish an international calendar that considers the competitions played by major clubs. It is extremely frustrating that one of our best players gets injured in a friendly match between France and Brazil in the United States.” This statement reflects the extent of concern regarding the recurrence of such injuries during international breaks.
The Catalan official pointed out that the responsibility does not lie with the players, who always strive to give their utmost for their national teams. Laporta said, “It is clear that the responsibility for not playing cannot be shifted to the player, because he is a professional and plays for his country with full dedication.” He also expressed his hope that this injury would prompt FIFA to address scheduling issues and coordinate them in a way that safeguards the interests of clubs and their official competitions.
These remarks come amidst ongoing calls for a balance between international commitments and the interests of professional clubs. Laporta believes that losing a key player in a non-competitive match causes technical damage to the team, particularly with the congested annual fixture list and the increasing physical demands on international stars.
