Brazilian winger’s comments come amid growing discontent from footballers and unions over apparently unsustainable levels of physical and mental strain.
Barcelona winger Raphinha has publicly criticised football’s packed calendar, saying that the timing and structure of the newly expanded Club World Cup was “very bad”.
“Speaking particularly as someone who plays for a European team, we should be on vacation,” said Raphinha. “Marquinhos and Beraldo, from Paris Saint-Germain, won the Champions League and didn’t even get to celebrate properly.
“They came to the national team and then went to the Club World Cup. They still haven’t stopped.”
FIFA’s revamped 32-team Club World Cup runs from 14 June to 13 July, and followed closely on the heels of an already demanding club campaign and then a brief international window. For many players, especially internationals, it has meant nearly 12 months of nonstop football.
“Many say that this is an excuse, it may or may not be,” said Raphinha. “But having to give up our vacations out of obligation is very complicated. It’s our right. Everyone deserves at least a month of vacation. And many of them won’t get it.”
The Brazilian winger’s comments come amid growing discontent from footballers and unions over apparently unsustainable levels of physical and mental strain. Earlier this month, FIFPRO called for mandatory player protection, recommending 12 health safeguards that all footballing associations should follow.
“If PSG reach the Club World Cup final, they will have the Super Cup right away, it doesn’t stop,” said Raphinha.
“It depends on your point of view. From my point of view, it’s very bad to give up your vacation to play something that you are forced to do. At no point did they ask the players if they wanted to. It should be up to us to accept it.”
