Fantasy risks and surprises after the international break

International breaks are a FIFA decision that annoys a large part of football fans because of the possible consequences they can have for players when they return to their clubs.

In a calendar where fixture congestion drives much of the controversy, a debate that has been repeated for years resurfaces again at times like this. Footballers must temporarily leave their teams to represent their national sides in one or two matches, thereby accumulating more minutes, long trips, time-zone changes, and greater physical and mental strain.

This phenomenon is known as "FIFA virus", a term that refers to those players who, after returning from their international commitments, see their performance drop with the club or even miss games due to injury or physical discomfort. The most recent case is Barcelona forward Raphinha, whose absence could seriously affect the blaugrana side at a time when they are still in contention across several competitions. Losing such a decisive player can have a direct impact on results in the season's decisive stretch.

So, these are some of the players with whom it is worth exercising special caution when lining them up in the first league match after the break.

0

Vinícius Júnior
21.780.000€-3.170.000€    7

J1

DL

00

After the absence of their top scorer, the Real Madrid winger has been taking on the mantle and keeping the team going with 19 goals and 11 assists, figures very similar to those of his best season as a white-shirt player, the one in which he finished second in the Ballon d'Or rankings.

However, in previous international breaks, the first match of Vinicius Jr. with Real Madrid after returning has brought a slight dip in his performance, especially in stats such as the successful dribbles and key passes. It's a detail to keep in mind ahead of his next outing at Son Moix.

0

Brahim Díaz
3.750.000€-350.000€    3

J1

DL

00

The young Moroccan star has had a season that has gone from less to more. After a difficult start, when he had barely any trust from Xabi Alonso and saw other players such as Rodrygo, Mastantuono or Mbappé move ahead of him in the rotation when the team played with just two forwards, he has managed to make his case by taking advantage of Kylian Mbappé's ongoing problems.

In fact, in the last five matches with the white side he has been a starter in all of them, even completing one of those games from start to finish. His progress is clear, but there is one piece of information that doesn't play too much in his favor: in his first matches after returning from international duty, his performance has often dipped, with more failed dribbles, less accuracy in passing, and less attacking influence.

So, if the Moroccan forward wants to keep his place in the starting XI against such demanding competition, he will need to move past the accumulated fatigue and deliver his best version from the first minute.

0

Pedri
21.820.000€-520.000€    4

J1

MD

00

Apart from the injury he suffered halfway through the season, not much more can be added about the excellent campaign the blaugrana midfielder is putting together. Pedri has become a key piece in the middle of the pitch for Barcelona and one of the team's main engines this term.

Unlike other cases, in the last two international breaks the Canary Islander has responded very well. Before leaving, he had already shown a good level, and after returning he was even one of the standout players in the match, once receiving the Man of the Match award.

That fact, without a doubt, invites optimism among the culés, especially considering that the next fixture will be nothing less than against Atlético de Madrid.

Finally, there is a surprise name on this list. It's a player who, since he hasn't previously been called up by his national team, will for the first time play a match with his club after featuring in an international game.

0

Joan García
9.240.000€-200.000€    2

J1

PT

00

The Spanish goalkeeper has been called up for the first time in his career to play a match with the national team. After the great season he is currently having with Barcelona, in which he has already saved decisive points in several matches, it remains to be seen how that international experience will affect him in his next outing at the Metropolitano.

The 30 minutes played against Egypt now open up a question mark: will he feel the effort and see his performance drop? Or, on the contrary, will he return stronger, as in the case of his teammate Pedri?

With all that in mind, matchday 30 of La Liga presents itself as a real test for several top-level players. In the season's final stretch, defined by maximum demand, many of them will have to prove that they are ready to keep being decisive for their teams, despite the fatigue accumulated after the international break.