The FIFA Club World Cup started on June 14 in the United States with the competition now moving into the quarterfinal stage this week.
Since its announcement, the Club World Cup has been on the receiving end of criticism - particularly for its match schedule - which interferes with the teams' resting time in between regular seasons.
The other issues pointed out by critics about the competition also include the injuries that players could sustain, which would further affect them in the upcoming campaign, and the physical toll that comes with the long trips.
Now, Barcelona ace Raphinha has voiced his opinion on the Club World Cup, slamming FIFA over their planning of the competition.
What did Barcelona's Raphinha say about the Club World Cup?
While speaking at an event, Raphinha mentioned how the Club World Cup is essentially 'forced' on players, who have to 'give up' their 'sacred' vacation time.
"It's very difficult to give up vacation time to play something we're forced to. Many of the Club World Cup participants won't have any vacation time; it's unacceptable. The three weeks of vacation time are sacred. You have to go, period, because we follow orders; we have to be there playing," as per GOAL.
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"As a player for a European club, giving up my vacation to play in a new tournament is very complicated. It's really bad having to give up your vacation to play something you're forced to, because at no point did they ask us players about anything.
"At no point did they ask us if we wanted to play or what the ideal dates were. They just said we had to go and that's it."
Raphinha and Barcelona are not a part of the Club World Cup and Hanis Flick's squad are currently looking forward to their pre-season friendly match against Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
The Catalan club are set to kick off their upcoming La Liga season with a clash against Mallorca on August 17, at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix.
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