The surgery was done on 26 October, the morning after Barcelona’s Clásico. It removed a cyst from Raphinha’s left ear, caused by a blow to the head earlier in the month that had left inflammation and fluid inside.

Barcelona wanted the procedure done during the November international break, when the 29-year-old would have been unavailable to the club anyway. He pushed the other way, bringing it forward by roughly three weeks and keeping himself in Brazil’s squad for the final two fixtures of 2026, according to Brazilian reporting.

Four goals since the operation

He was back on the pitch on 31 October against Alavés, wearing a protective headband to shield the ear. Barcelona won 6-1, and Raphinha scored twice, including the opener inside eight minutes.

Three days later came Aston Villa in the Champions League. Two more goals in a 3-0 win.

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The 22,000-kilometre trip Barcelona wanted to delay

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti included Raphinha in his 26-man squad for friendlies against Japan on 14 November and Singapore on 17 November, both staged at the National Stadium in Singapore.

The round trip from Barcelona runs to roughly 22,000 kilometres. Raphinha came back from the last international break with a muscle problem that cost him matches against Getafe and Galatasaray, and that is only the most recent of several Brazil-duty setbacks in 2026.

Playing time in Singapore has been agreed in advance. The Brazilian Football Confederation and Barcelona have an understanding on how his minutes will be handled across the two friendlies.

Hansi Flick’s side sit top of La Liga going into the break. The Singapore friendly on 17 November is Brazil’s final fixture of 2026.

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