According to Spanish media reports on Wednesday, Barcelona’s management, headed by Joan Laporta, has initiated communications with the Football Association to request the exemption of Raphinha from playing in the second match against Bolivia. They propose that he only participates in the match against Chile at the Maracanã Stadium to avoid player fatigue before returning to Spain.
Media reports indicate that this has caused significant anger in Barcelona due to what they described as “double standards,” following Ancelotti’s decision to exclude Vinicius Junior, Éder Militão, and Rodrygo from the squad, granting them additional rest.
Brazil, which has already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, will play a formality match against Bolivia in La Paz at an altitude exceeding 4,000 meters above sea level. Barcelona considers this an unjustified risk for their player Raphinha.
This controversy arises as Barcelona and Real Madrid are fiercely competing for the top spot in the Spanish league, with both teams having won their first two matches of the season.
