FC Barcelona winger Raphinha used a public appearance in São Paulo on 27 June to criticise the timing of FIFA’s expanded 2025 Club World Cup, arguing that European players have been forced to forgo their statutory summer break to take part in the month-long event. The first 32-team edition of the tournament began on 14 June and runs until 13 July in the United States, immediately after Europe’s league season and a June international window. Raphinha said no consultation was held with players when the dates were set, calling the obligation to report for another competition "very complicated" and insisting that footballers deserve at least three weeks of rest. He cited Paris Saint-Germain defenders Marquinhos and Lucas Beraldo—who played the Champions League final, then international fixtures, and are now at the Club World Cup—as examples of an unsustainable workload. Should PSG reach the 13 July final, the pair would face the UEFA Super Cup on 13 August with virtually no off-season, the Brazilian warned. Although Barcelona did not qualify for the tournament, Raphinha applauded Brazilian clubs for advancing in the competition, while maintaining that the congested calendar risks affecting player performance and welfare across Europe.