Players forced to give up vacation to play Club World Cup, says Raphinha
BRAZIL's Barcelona forward Raphinha regretted that the players were not consulted about extending their season to play at the Club World Cup, adding that nobody should be obliged to give up their vacation time.
The first expanded edition of the Club World Cup started on June 14 and will run until July 13. The competition followed the European league season which concluded in late May and an international window at the beginning of June.
"Speaking particularly as someone who plays for a European team, we would (currently) be on vacation," Raphinha said.
"Marquinhos and Beraldo, from Paris St 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.
"Many say that this is an excuse. It may or may not be, 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."
Most of the major European leagues will be back in action in mid to late August, with the pre-seasons starting early in the month.
"If PSG reach the Club World Cup final, they will have the Super Cup right away. It doesn't stop," Raphinha added.
"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. Having to give up your vacation to play in a new tournament is very complicated."
PSG will face Tottenham Hotspur for the Super Cup on August 13. —REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Olympian Kevin Nunis dies
KUALA LUMPUR: Olympian Kevin Nunis alias Muhammad Khairy Nunis Abdullah died today after he was warded at KL General hospital for 42 days. The former national hockey player from Seremban was 65. Kevin represented Malaysia from 1978 to 1989, and featured in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Kevin had coached several states and was assistant to national coach Terry Walsh He also coached in Singapore from 2000 to 2012. He leaves behind his wife, three children and three grand children. Two of his grandsons, aged 12 and 10, are hockey players. Kevin's son, Karl Iskandar is a sports journalist and Kevin's brother, Graig, is also a sports journalist. Former Olympian and World Cupper Datuk Poon Fook Loke said Kevin's death was a great lost to the nation. "He was a nippy forward and was a great player. He was my roommate when we went for a European tour in 1984." National Hockey Development Programme technical director S. Velappan said Kevin was a coach under the NHDP based at Bukit Jalil from 2023. "I had known him since I was called for national training for the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. He was a brother to me as he guided me in training. He was soft spoken and cheerful. Kevin had dedicated all his life to hockey as a player and as a national coach. We will miss him," said Velappan. Olympian Maninderjit Singh said: "The victories, defeats, and shared moments become the tapestry of a life well-lived by my fellow Olympian Kevin Nunis. "Great coach and a renowned top player in Malaysia which equals to one of the hockey legends in Malaysian hockey! "Superb striking skill in a circle and his cheeky jokes off the field were the best remembered. A true champion, always in our hearts. Gone, but his spirit of competition lives on.
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Heat, heart and high stakes: Club World Cup defies critics as Messi, minnows and money steal the show
ATLANTA, June 28 — The Club World Cup's various problems have been well documented, from empty seats to storm delays, extreme heat to complaints about FIFA's expanded competition being a cash grab at the expense of the players' long-term health. However, with the right ingredients slow-cooking in the United States summer sun, there has also been plenty to enjoy about the tournament so far. Several stars are getting their encore moments, including Inter Miami's cast of ageing former Barcelona greats, led by Lionel Messi. Now 38, Messi helped the Major League Soccer side make the last 16 against the odds, which coach Javier Mascherano said was 'historic'. Messi's mere presence still provokes intense reactions, including from a young boy in an Argentina shirt at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in tears before the new NBA-style walk-outs, overcome at the prospect of seeing his hero live. He delivered, too, whipping a superb free-kick into the top corner to earn Miami a shock victory over Porto. 'I'm a Messi fan, he's still one of the best players in the world – that Porto game we weren't supposed to win,' said Yemi Obono, a 34-year-old tech product manager who lives in Atlanta. He and many others will get another chance to see the forward when Inter Miami face European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Georgia again this weekend in the last 16. '(Watching Messi) was like a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me... I hope I can go on Sunday and see him again,' added Obono. 'I'm happy – at first I wasn't happy we came second (in the group).' Messi's reunion with PSG is one of many narratives to catch the eye. With clubs taking the competition seriously, not least because of the total of US$1 billion in prize money on offer, these matches feel 'canon', unlike pre-season friendly tours. 'I'm pretty sure for the South American teams, for the Brazilian teams, for Argentinian teams, this competition is maybe the maximum,' said Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, who hailed the passion of the South American fans in particular. 'People are surprised (when) European teams lose,' added Guardiola. 'Welcome to the real world my friends.' Botafogo stunned PSG in the group stage with a 1-0 win, Chelsea suffered a stinging 3-1 defeat by another Brazilian side in Flamengo, and Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid were eliminated early. The group stage has offered some of the tension the revamped UEFA Champions League first round lacked. The Club World Cup has also offered a first look at Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid project, and new signings like Los Blancos duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, Chelsea's Liam Delap and several Manchester City arrivals. Coaches including Bayern's Vincent Kompany have appreciated the extra time they have to work in depth with players, swallowed up in the season by recovery sessions amid the packed calendar. '99 per cent' The tournament has been an opportunity to celebrate teams who rarely get to enjoy the global spotlight. While some mocked New Zealand amateurs Auckland City after their opening 10-0 defeat by Bayern Munich, it highlighted how impressive their 1-1 draw against Boca Juniors was in their final game. 'We're representing 99 per cent of club teams in world football who are amateurs... we all have day jobs,' said vice-captain Adam Mitchell. Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds' fans went toe-to-toe with their River Plate counterparts in creating a superb atmosphere, which is no mean feat. Although River and Argentine rivals Boca were eliminated, their passionate supporters helped bring the tournament to life. Even if stadiums are not full, the fans who are there are bringing the noise – and the average attendance is higher than for La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 last season. Brazilian clubs have flexed their muscles, with all four reaching the last 16, surprising those who thought the gap to Europe's elite was too great. With the likes of PSG, City, Real and Bayern looking to go deep, some impending blockbuster clashes may yet win over those resistant to the spectacle. The Club World Cup is a tournament in its infancy, with room to improve, but is already showing it has more heart than some expected. — AFP
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Young Tigers in dangerous group
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have been drawn in a tough Junior World Cup group together with three European hockey teams. The Young Tigers will have to contend with powerhouses the Netherlands, England and Austria in Group E. Twenty-four teams are divided into six groups in the Under-21 tournament, which will be held in Chennai and Madurai, India from Nov 28-Dec 10. Defending champions Germany, South Africa, Canada and Ireland are in Group A while Group B consists of two-time champions India, former champions Pakistan, Chile and Switzerland. Two-time champions Argentina, New Zealand, Japan and China are in Group C while Spain, Belgium, Egypt and Namibia are in Group D. Former champions Australia, France, South Korea and Bangladesh are drawn in Group F. At the last Junior World Cup, in Bukit Jalil in 2023, Malaysia, coached by Amin Rahim, finished 12 out of 16 teams.
