TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Raphinha of Brazil runs during the International Friendly match between Australia Socceroos and Brazil at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on September 25, 2026 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
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Luis Mazariegos Luis Mazariegos has been a lead writer and editor for Barca Blaugranes since 2012, bringing tactical analysis, transfer reports, opinion columns, and investigative coverage to the SB Nation network. An award-winning journalist, he has held press credentials for Champions League and La Liga fixtures – reporting live from the stadium, press box, and press conferences. He frequently provides commentary as a guest on football podcasts and radio shows. In addition to his sports media work, Luis spent over a decade in broadcast television and currently serves as an editor for a major digital news network.
FC Barcelona reportedly are set to be annoyed by the Brazilian national team. That’s because Raphinha, who is one of the Catalans’ main stars, was injured while on national team duty last time out, and is set to return to play under Carlo Ancelotti before he has completed the full 90 with Barça.
He went 86 minutes and scored a goal against Real Madrid in a 2-1 loss, but he may not be fully 100% yet. Brazil have two friendly games on the horizon, against Japan on November 14 and Singapore on November 17. The long flight to Asia and added minutes playing are not the best preparation for a return to playing for his club. Barcelona have important matches coming up, perhaps none more so than the game against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on December 8.
Brazil’s list is yet to be released, but it’s widely assumed that Raphinha will be on it. A star for his club, he has been unable to make the same mark for the national team due to injury lately. Knowing his personality, the expectation is he’ll put in 100% to impress Ancelotti.
Barcelona are in a bad spot right now after losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, even though the Catalans started the season off in red-hot form. They top La Liga, but it’s a precarious two-point lead over Atlético Madrid and three-point over Real. There’s also the risk of missing out on the top eight spots in the Champions League league phase, which grant teams a bye from the first round.
Finger-pointing between a club and national team over a player’s fitness is nothing new, but at the end of the day, players want to give their all to both. That causes inevitable friction, but if Raphinha emerges from the international break unscathed, Barcelona will be reassured. If not, the annoyance will really increase.