Barcelona forward Raphinha underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his left ear on October 26, bringing forward a procedure that the club had wanted him to schedule during the November international break.
According to a report by Brazilian outlet ge.globo, the 29-year-old chose to undergo the operation early because he did not want to miss Brazil’s final international fixtures of 2026.
The decision has understandably attracted significant attention at Barcelona, particularly with Carlo Ancelotti including the winger in his squad for the upcoming friendlies against Japan and Singapore.
Raphinha brought forward surgery to remain available for Brazil
The problem originated in early October when Raphinha suffered a blow to the head that injured his left ear.
The affected area subsequently became inflamed, causing considerable discomfort and requiring medical attention.
As a result of that, the available options were repeated drainage of accumulated fluid or a surgical procedure.
The club, on their part, preferred to use the international break for the operation, which would have ruled him out of Brazil’s November commitments.
However, Raphinha opted for surgery on October 26, the day after El Clasico, rather than risk missing national-team selection.
Protective headband did not stop Raphinha scoring four goals
The operation required Raphinha to miss several training sessions while keeping the affected area recovered, but his absence from competitive action was brief.
He returned for Barcelona’s next match against Alaves on October 31, wearing a protective headband to prevent further irritation.
The Brazilian made an immediate impact, scoring twice in Barcelona’s 6-1 victory.
He repeated the achievement against Aston Villa on November 3, finding the net twice in a 3-0 Champions League win.
Barcelona concerned about Raphinha’s Brazil commitments
Although Ancelotti and his coaching staff appreciate Raphinha’s decision to bring forward the operation, Barcelona have reasons to remain cautious about his international involvement.
Brazil’s November schedule involves matches against Japan on November 14 and Singapore on November 17, with both fixtures taking place at the National Stadium in Singapore.
As a result, Raphinha faces a round trip of approximately 22,000 kilometres, and the concern is not limited to the physical demands of travelling.
Notably, Barcelona have already experienced the frustration of losing the Brazilian to international-duty injuries, making his fitness particularly important as the season progresses.
Raphinha’s decision to undergo surgery early indeed shows his commitment towards the national team, although Barcelona also have all the reasons to worry as well.
