Players forced to give up vacation to play Club World Cup, says Raphinha

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. (AP/File)
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Updated 27 June 2025

Players forced to give up vacation to play Club World Cup, says Raphinha

Players forced to give up vacation to play Club World Cup, says Raphinha
  • Raphinha said: “Marquinhos and Beraldo, from Paris St. Germain, won the Champions League and didn’t even get to celebrate properly”
  • “If PSG reach the Club World Cup final, they will have the Super Cup right away. It doesn’t stop“

BARCELONA: 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.


Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025

Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025
Updated 10 November 2025

Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025

Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025
  • Joaquin Niemann returns to Saudi capital to defend title he won last year
  • Dustin Johnson, a two-time winner of the PIF Saudi International (2021, 2022), will make his sixth appearance at the tournament

RIYADH: Golf Saudi has officially announced the launch of the 2025 PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, a major sporting event taking place as part of Riyadh Season 2025.

This year’s edition brings a new and exceptional twist, with the introduction of the WOW Festival — an immersive celebration combining world-class golf, luxury cars, and live music, offering a unique experience that blends sport, entertainment and culture in one of the highlights of Riyadh Season 2025.

Golf enthusiasts can look forward to seeing some of the sport’s biggest names, including Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton, and Dustin Johnson, as they compete in the season finale of the International Series on the Asian Tour.

The PIF Saudi International is likely to be one of the standout experiences of the Riyadh Season 2025.

Ticket sales are now open for fans via Webook.com, with the tournament to be held Nov. 19-22 at Riyadh Golf Club.

Defending champion Niemann will return this November after securing a dramatic victory in a three-way, two-hole playoff last year to claim the title and top the International Series rankings. The 26-year-old has been in dominant form, capturing seven titles in the LIV Golf League, including five this season.

Johnson, a two-time winner of the PIF Saudi International (2021, 2022), will make his sixth appearance at the tournament, while Ryder Cup star Hatton returns after an impressive debut last year, where he finished fifth.

Niemann said: “I’m really looking forward to returning to Riyadh to defend my title at the PIF Saudi International. Last year’s win was a special moment in my career, and the atmosphere at Riyadh Golf Club was incredible. The course sets up really well for my game, and with such a strong field again this year, it’s going to be an exciting challenge.”

Golf Saudi’s vision is to be the catalyst for to become an exceptional golfing nation. In addition to delivering world class events such as the PIF Saudi International, Golf Saudi delivers world-class facilities, operational excellence, and implementation of best practices at its impressive portfolio of events.

The tournament is the last of nine elevated events on The International Series calendar this season. The Asian Tour-sanctioned tournaments provide a direct pathway for players from all over the world into the LIV Golf League. The champion and runner-up of the season-ending International Series Rankings will secure a spot on the 2026 LIV Golf League roster.

This is the second year the tournament will be held at Riyadh Golf Club, the home of Golf Saudi and is the Saudi capital’s premier golf course. Its par-72 championship course is set across 7,434 yards of undulating fairways and has played host to many of the Kingdom’s leading tournaments, including the Saudi Open presented by PIF, the Aramco Team Series Riyadh, and the Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

The PIF Saudi International moved to the Asian Tour circuit in 2022 as part of a new partnership and this year has attracted a stellar family of co-sponsors including Riyadh Season, tournament partners SHG, GIB, Al-Hammadi Hospitals Group, Saddik & Mohamed Attar, and Rolex.

To buy tickets for the PIF Saudi International, please visit www.saudiinternational.com

For more information about the tournament and future Golf Saudi events, visit Golf Saudi.