Joan Laporta is annoyed at the situation.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has called on FIFA to make changes to international breaks after Blaugrana star Raphinha sustained a hamstring injury playing for Brazil.
Raphinha is set to miss much of Barca’s end-of-season run-in after suffering the blow in Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to France last Thursday.
He faces five weeks on the sidelines, meaning the forward will miss Saturday’s LaLiga fixture with Atletico Madrid and Barca’s Champions League quarter-final tie against the same opposition along with at least one leg of a potential semi-final.
Raphinha could, however, return in time for the Clasico with Real Madrid on May 10.
But Laporta is far from happy with the situation.
“It’s outrageous that FIFA sets such tight schedules and doesn’t take official competitions into account,” Laporta told Laporta told Món Esport.
“In some way we should demand FIFA to make an international calendar that takes into account the competitions that the most important clubs have.
“It is true that in a friendly match between France and Brazil in the United States, one of our best players in the squad getting injured is very annoying.
“You can’t blame the player because he’s a professional, and besides, he’s playing for his country and has to give it his all.”
Barcelona president talks Rashford, Flick futures
Raphinha’s injury is likely to present more opportunities to England forward Marcus Rashford as he approaches the final weeks of his loan spell with Barca.
Rashford has scored nine goals and provided 10 assists since moving to Barca from Manchester United, though his future beyond this season is uncertain.
It is unclear whether a €30million purchase option for Rashford is still valid, and Barca are reported to be keen to renegotiate the terms of a potential permanent move.
Asked about Rashford and fellow loanee Joao Cancelo, Laporta replied: “[Sporting director] Deco and [Hansi] Flick have to decide.
“Rashford is having a good season, and Cancelo is playing extraordinarily well.”
On contract talks around an extension for head coach Flick, who has said Barca will be his last job in football, Laporta explained: “He prefers to analyse the situation at the end of the season and decide what to do.
“At the end of the season, when things have settled down, we’ll talk about it. He doesn’t feel the need to rush it.
“I think he’s earned a contract extension, but he prefers to discuss it at the end of the season, assess the situation, and decide what to do.
“If we go for another year, he’s already got it.”
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