FC Barcelona forward Raphinha underwent surgery on October 26 to treat an injury and severe pain in his left ear, according to reports.

The decision to perform the procedure immediately following the El Clásico fixture against Real Madrid did not align with the preferences of club officials. Barcelona preferred to schedule the operation during the international break, but the forward wanted to remain available for Brazil’s upcoming matches.

The physical issue originated in early October when Raphinha sustained a blow to the head that caused a wound on his left ear. The area subsequently inflamed and triggered acute discomfort.

Because competition rules restrict certain medications during active matches, medical staff evaluated regular fluid drainage or direct surgery as the primary remedies.

The club hierarchy argued that the November international window offered the ideal recovery window. Raphinha instead chose October 26 to ensure his availability for national team duty.

Recovery required the winger to miss several training sessions during the initial healing phase. He returned to action wearing protective headgear and maintained his scoring form, netting two goals against Alavés and two more against Aston Villa in the UEFA Champions League.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff acknowledged the player’s effort to expedite his recovery. The national setup welcomed his availability for fixtures against Japan and Singapur.

Barcelona officials remain uneasy regarding the long-haul travel required for international duty and the risk of aggravating the recent injury. The club contacted the Brazilian Football Confederation to discuss managing the player’s minutes on the pitch.

The forward joins the squad ahead of fixtures scheduled for the upcoming international window.