Clubs don't simply have to absorb the financial hit when a player picks up an injury while away on international duty — there is a compensation mechanism in place, according to BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything feature.
The piece explains that FIFA operates a Club Protection Programme, designed to reimburse clubs for wages paid to players who are injured while on international duty, covering a set period of time. The scheme was introduced partly in response to long-standing frustration among clubs about losing players to injuries sustained away from their employers, often with little recourse.
BBC Sport's explainer looks at how this system functions in practice, addressing a question that has become increasingly relevant given the packed international calendar and the number of high-profile injuries picked up by players representing their countries.
The full breakdown offers clarity on a issue that regularly sparks debate between clubs and national federations whenever a star player returns from international duty carrying a knock.