Sophia
Barcelona’s La Liga campaign is set to resume this weekend, but the Catalan giants may face a challenge with tired legs among their squad, particularly from winger Raphinha, who has expressed his frustration following a grueling international break with Brazil.
A Bitter End to Qualifiers for Brazil and Raphinha
The CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifiers concluded with a defeat for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil against Bolivia. However, for Barcelona’s 28-year-old winger Raphinha, the 1-0 loss was not the sole source of his irritation. Having played 80 minutes in Brazil’s victory over Chile last Thursday, Raphinha was then brought on as a substitute for 30 minutes in the high-altitude, freezing conditions of Bolivia.
Harsh Conditions and Questionable Decisions
The match against Bolivia was played at the Estadio Municipal El Alto, an environment notorious for its extreme conditions. With temperatures hovering around six degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit) and an astonishing altitude of 4,100 meters (13,451 feet) above sea level, the physical toll on players is immense. Raphinha did not mince words when discussing the experience.
“The moment a team makes you play at an altitude of 4,000 meters to be able to win the game, it’s a big disadvantage for all other national teams,” Raphinha stated, as reported by SPORT. “Then, in a tightly-contested match, the referee makes up a penalty-kick, the reality is that just complicates our game even more.”
Bolivia’s home-field advantage at El Alto is a significant factor, historically aiding them in securing crucial points, and this time, even a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs.
Ancelotti’s Call-Up Under Scrutiny
The decision by Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti to field Raphinha in a seemingly inconsequential match has raised eyebrows, especially within the Barcelona camp. Brazil had already secured their spot in next summer’s World Cup prior to these final two qualifiers.
Adding to the concern, Ancelotti opted to rest Real Madrid stars Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior, allowing them to recover in Spain. In contrast, Raphinha was not only called up but also played the second-most minutes among outfield players across both games, trailing only Marquinhos.
Despite their qualification, Brazil’s fifth-place finish in the qualifiers marks their worst performance since the current format was adopted, adding another layer of disappointment to the international break.
Barcelona Awaits Raphinha’s Return
Raphinha now faces a long journey back to Barcelona, where Hansi Flick and his medical staff will be eager to assess his condition. The hope is that the former Leeds United winger will be fit and ready for Barcelona’s home season debut on Sunday against Valencia.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between club and country, especially when players are subjected to extreme conditions in matches that hold little significance for their national team’s qualification status. Barcelona will be hoping that Raphinha’s frustration doesn’t translate into a dip in form as they look to kickstart their domestic campaign.
