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Barcelona winger Raphinha recently had a minor ear operation, and while the procedure didn't cause him to miss any matches, the timing of it reportedly stirred up friction with the reigning Spanish champions.
Raphinha needed surgery on his left ear to remove a cyst that developed after the Brazilian took a knock to the head in early October. The injury caused him considerable pain, and aside from regular abscess draining, surgery was the only viable option.
The 29-year-old went under the knife on Oct. 26, just one day after Barcelona's defeat to Real Madrid. It was the first week in more than a month that Barcelona had no midweek fixture, so after sitting out a few training sessions while recovering, Raphinha returned the following weekend wearing a protective headband and netted twice against Alavés.
However, it was the timing of the operation that reportedly sparked some tension.
According to Globo Esporte, Raphinha brought forward his surgery so he could be available for Brazil during the November international window. Barcelona, on the other hand, had preferred he undergo the procedure during the two-week November international break.
Raphinha prioritized his availability for Carlo Ancelotti. While his decision didn't escalate into a major conflict, it's easy to see why Barcelona would have preferred he waited and used the two-week break to recuperate rather than traveling with the Seleção.
Raphinha's Recent Injury Troubles With Brazil Have Taken a Toll on Barcelona
In each of the last three international stints Raphinha has completed with Brazil, he has returned to Catalonia nursing a new injury.
Back in March, Raphinha picked up a hamstring injury during a friendly against France that kept him sidelined for more than a month. The setback proved especially costly, as it forced him to miss Barcelona's Champions League quarterfinal clash with Atlético Madrid.
Barcelona needed just one goal in the final hour of the second leg to push the tie into extra time, but Marcus Rashford and Fermín López squandered clear-cut opportunities that sealed Barça's elimination — chances Raphinha would likely have converted.
Over the summer, Raphinha suffered yet another hamstring injury early in the 2026 World Cup and played no further part in the tournament. Fortunately for Barcelona, the summer break gave Raphinha enough time to recover ahead of the 2026–27 season opener.
But after netting 14 goals in eight matches as Barça's new center forward to kick off the campaign, history repeated itself during the September–October international window. A thigh injury forced Raphinha to sit out two games, and he was clearly below his best upon returning in defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
Eventually, ear injury and all, Raphinha rediscovered his top form and scored four goals across Barça's last three matches. Now, however, Hansi Flick will be anxiously watching as Raphinha and Brazil head to Singapore for two friendlies — games he would likely have missed had he not moved up his surgery.
Brazil Will Monitor Raphinha's Playing Time
Ever since Ancelotti unveiled Brazil's November squad, alarm bells rang at Barcelona over Raphinha's inclusion.
"He's a very important player," Flick said when asked about Raphinha's call-up to Ancelotti's squad. "After the last international break, he came back injured — it wasn't an ideal situation.
"For me, if we can manage his minutes a bit, I'll be satisfied. Traveling back and forth to Singapore isn't ideal. It's not something that's in my control or that I can change."
The heavy workload Raphinha has shouldered for Brazil in recent friendlies frustrated many at Barcelona, particularly given that Ancelotti has afforded Real Madrid players like Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior considerably more rest since taking charge. Nevertheless, an agreement has reportedly been reached to carefully manage Raphinha's minutes in Brazil's upcoming fixtures.
"Both parties are working together to manage his minutes so that Raphinha returns in top shape and the risk of a fourth consecutive injury while on international duty is kept to a minimum," Globo Esporte reported, via AS.
Raphinha himself assured Barcelona supporters they "shouldn't worry" about his fitness when he recently signed a two-year contract extension. Still, the Catalans will be watching closely over the coming week, hoping history doesn't repeat itself for the fourth time this year.