Barcelona Furious Over FIFA's Modest Compensation for Raphinha's Injury During Brazil Friendlies

The club argues the $155,000 payout is deeply inadequate given the magnitude of the winger's absence during a critical stretch of the season.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:11pm

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Barcelona is outraged after star winger Raphinha suffered a right-thigh hamstring injury while playing for Brazil in a pre-2026 World Cup friendly against France in Boston. The club will receive compensation from FIFA's Club Protection Program, but they view the $155,000 figure as woefully insufficient given that Raphinha is expected to miss 5-7 La Liga matches and both legs of the Champions League quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid.

Why it matters

Barcelona is fighting on multiple fronts this season, sitting second in La Liga and still in the Champions League. Raphinha's injury is a major blow, as he has been one of the team's most influential attackers with 19 goals and 8 assists. The club believes FIFA's compensation does not come close to offsetting the sporting damage caused by a friendly match that placed unnecessary risk on their key player.

The details

Raphinha suffered the injury in the 68th minute of Brazil's 2-1 friendly defeat to France in Boston. Barcelona's medical staff estimates he will be sidelined for around 5 weeks, ruling him out of a critical stretch of matches including 5-7 La Liga fixtures and both legs of the Champions League quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid. This is Raphinha's third hamstring injury of the season, following earlier issues in September and October.

  • Raphinha was injured on March 25, 2026 during Brazil's friendly against France in Boston.
  • Barcelona expects Raphinha to return to action around April 28 or 29, 2026.

The players

Raphinha

A 29-year-old Brazilian winger who plays for Barcelona. He has been a key player for the club this season with 19 goals and 8 assists across 31 matches.

Hansi Flick

The manager of Barcelona who has relied heavily on Raphinha's contributions this season.

Michael Olise

A French midfielder who played against Raphinha in the Brazil-France friendly.

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What’s next

Barcelona will monitor Raphinha's recovery and hope to have him back in time for the Champions League semi-finals, should they advance that far.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between clubs and national teams over the scheduling of international friendlies, which clubs view as placing unnecessary risk on their star players during critical junctures of the club season. Barcelona believes FIFA's compensation is woefully inadequate given the importance of the matches Raphinha will miss.