Barcelona Manager Defends FIFA Calendar After Raphinha Injury

Flick says 'injury is nobody's fault' despite Laporta's complaint to FIFA over player workload.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:11pm

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A cubist-inspired painting depicting a soccer player in action, with their body and the ball fragmented into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the complex dynamics between clubs and national teams over player injuries.Barcelona's injury woes highlight the ongoing tensions between clubs and national teams over player workload during international breaks.Today in Orlando

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick took a different stance than club president Joan Laporta regarding Raphinha's injury while on international duty with Brazil. Flick said the 'injury is nobody's fault' and is 'part of the game,' while Laporta directly blamed FIFA's calendar and demanded exceptions for top clubs.

Why it matters

The debate over player workload and injuries during international breaks has been an ongoing issue in soccer, with clubs often at odds with national teams over the demands placed on their star players. Flick's comments represent a more pragmatic view compared to Laporta's direct criticism of FIFA.

The details

Raphinha suffered a muscle injury to his right hamstring while playing for Brazil against France in Orlando, which will keep him out for over a month and force him to miss Barcelona's Champions League quarterfinal matches against Atletico Madrid. Laporta complained to FIFA about the injury, calling for exceptions for top clubs, but Flick took a different approach, saying 'it's an injury and you must live with it.'

  • Raphinha was injured on April 1, 2026 while playing for Brazil against France in Orlando.
  • Raphinha will miss over a month of action, including Barcelona's Champions League quarterfinal matches against Atletico Madrid.

The players

Hansi Flick

The manager of Barcelona FC.

Joan Laporta

The president of Barcelona FC who complained to FIFA about Raphinha's injury.

Raphinha

The Barcelona forward who suffered a muscle injury while on international duty with Brazil.

Robert Lewandowski

The Barcelona forward who was disappointed after Poland failed to qualify for the World Cup.

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What they’re saying

“The injury is nobody's fault. It's an injury and you must live with it. It's part of this. It comes at a bad time. It makes us sad and we'll have to see how we manage it. It's not his first injury. He had a low morale. He's coming back this weekend. On Monday he'll be with the group.”

— Hansi Flick, Barcelona Manager

“To get one of the best players on the team injured in a friendly match between Brazil and France in the United States makes me very angry. FIFA must make an international calendar that takes into account the competitions the clubs have.”

— Joan Laporta, Barcelona President

“Robert played both matches with the national team. He's sad and disappointed about not being in the World Cup, but he's focused on us and what we need.”

— Hansi Flick, Barcelona Manager

What’s next

Barcelona will have to manage Raphinha's recovery and determine if he can return in time for their Champions League quarterfinal matches against Atletico Madrid.

The takeaway

The differing approaches between Barcelona's manager and president highlight the ongoing tensions between clubs and national teams over player workload and injuries during international breaks. Flick's pragmatic stance contrasts with Laporta's direct criticism of FIFA, underscoring the complex dynamics involved.