Alfredo Martinez, the Spanish sports journalist and football commentator for Onda Cero, has criticised Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti over his treatment of Barcelona forward Raphinha.
Martinez argues that Ancelotti’s repeated selection of Raphinha has damaged Barcelona, with the player returning injured from each of his last three international call-ups.
Writing in the Catalan newspaper Sport on Sunday, Martinez said the issue was not connected to Ancelotti’s long association with Real Madrid, but to the facts and figures since he took charge of Brazil.
Raphinha’s call-up in April, before the World Cup, meant Barcelona were without him for the knockout stages of the Copa del Rey and Champions League against Atletico Madrid. The player also returned from the tournament injured.
The forward had been in outstanding form before the first international break of this season, emerging as one of La Liga’s leading scorers and biggest stars. But he came back from the latest camp with another injury and has not completed a full match since returning.
‘Why does he not rebel?’
Martinez did not place all the responsibility on Ancelotti. He also questioned Raphinha’s response, given the player’s status as one of Brazil’s captains and his presumed ability to speak directly to the manager.
The journalist said Raphinha should be able to explain that his selection at this stage was harming both his sporting progress and his standing at the club that pays his wages.
“Barcelona members and supporters are extremely angry and cannot understand why Raphinha does not try to rebel against this mistreatment,” Martinez wrote.
He added: “I apologise to captain Raphinha because I admire him and believe he is a tremendous player who is performing brilliantly for Barcelona. But perhaps he could do something fairer for the club that pays his salary, especially as Brazil are only playing friendly matches.”
Martinez said he understood Ancelotti’s desire to select the best players available and get the maximum from them. However, he argued that friendly internationals should give the Brazil manager an opportunity to assess new talent.
He distinguished the situation from that of Vinicius Junior, who is also in the Brazil squad. Martinez said Vinicius was experiencing a dip in form and needed minutes, while his suspension until the end of November meant the call-up could benefit the Real Madrid player.
Criticism of ‘double standards’
Martinez also accused Ancelotti and the Brazilian football authorities of applying double standards to Brazilian clubs. No Palmeiras players were selected, following a request from the Brazilian Football Confederation, because the club were involved in domestic competition and the Copa Libertadores final.
“Was Barcelona not halfway through its season in April, when it played the Copa del Rey knockout rounds, including the semi-final against Atletico Madrid, as well as the Champions League quarter-final against the same team?” he asked.
Martinez concluded by calling for FIFA and other international organisations to limit player call-ups during periods reserved for friendly matches.
He said selecting players for the World Cup, knockout stages and Copa America was understandable despite the heavy schedule. But he added that “travelling to the other side of the world for camps and friendly matches against unfamiliar opponents, with the long journeys and physical fatigue that come in the middle of the club season, is something that should not continue”.
