Barcelona and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have reached an understanding on how to manage Raphinha's playing time during the current international break, according to Brazilian outlet Globo.
Barcelona were reportedly unhappy with Carlo Ancelotti's decision to call up Raphinha, as the winger had not yet fully recovered from an injury sustained during the previous international break. Despite that, the Italian coach included him in Brazil's squad, and Raphinha travelled to Singapore for two friendlies: against Japan on Saturday at 5:15 a.m. ET and against Singapore on November 17 at 5 a.m. ET.
Globo reported that the two parties are coordinating to manage his minutes so that Raphinha returns in peak condition and the risk of a third consecutive injury while representing his country is minimized.
The arrangement is aimed at avoiding a repeat of what happened during the September-October international break, when Raphinha returned to Barcelona with a muscle edema in his right hamstring. That injury affected his performances in his early matches back for Barcelona, including the Clásico against Real Madrid, where he scored but was still visibly dealing with its effects.
Ancelotti has also chosen to rest three other players during this camp: Bruno Guimarães, Gabriel Magalhães and Vanderson. None of them, nor Raphinha, are in danger of missing Brazil's opening friendly against Japan.
