´It´s infuriating´ – Barcelona president Laporta blames FIFA for Raphinha injury

Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes FIFA are to blame for Raphinha’s hamstring injury, which will sideline the winger for the Champions League quarter-finals.

Raphinha sustained the issue while playing for Brazil in a friendly against France in Foxborough last week, which the Selecao lost 2-1.

It was subsequently confirmed that he will be absent for around five weeks, causing him to miss both legs of their European tie against domestic rivals Atletico Madrid.

He will also sit out several key fixtures in LaLiga, with the Blaugrana currently four points clear of Real Madrid in the title race.

In an interview with Mon Esport on Thursday, Laporta said FIFA must prioritise elite club competitions over international friendlies.

“It’s infuriating that one of your best players gets injured in a friendly between France and Brazil,” Laporta said.

“You can’t leave the responsibility of playing or not with the player, because they’re professionals who give everything for their country, but FIFA have to come up with a calendar that has the biggest club competitions in mind.

“We’re playing for our lives at this point of the season. It’s shocking, but it’s an age-old discussion now.”

Comunicat mèdic

Raphinha té una lesió al bíceps femoral de la cuixa dreta segons confirmen les proves mèdiques que li ha fet la CBF arran de les molèsties que va notar durant la disputa del Brasil-França.

Raphinha torna a Barcelona per començar el tractament pertinent. El… pic.twitter.com/ne0bcEone6

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Raphinha has scored 19 goals and provided seven assists for Barca in all competitions this season, with only Lamine Yamal (21) outscoring him for Hansi Flick’s side.