Barcelona’s Growing Injury Concerns Cast Shadow Over Season
FC Barcelona’s 2025/26 campaign has taken a worrying turn as the club battles a growing list of injured players. The latest blow came with Joan Garcia, the young goalkeeper, who underwent knee surgery and is expected to be sidelined for several months. His absence has intensified concerns over the squad’s depth, especially with the club entering a decisive period in La Liga and the Champions League.
Barcelona’s injury list extends beyond Garcia. Veteran defenders have struggled with recurring fitness issues, while several midfielders have faced short-term knocks that disrupted the team’s rhythm. These setbacks have not only limited rotation but also placed extra pressure on manager Hansi Flick to balance his line-ups.
The most notable long-term absentee has been Pedri, whose persistent muscle injuries have plagued him for multiple seasons. Despite efforts to carefully manage his workload, the young midfielder has endured another spell on the sidelines, depriving Barcelona of his creativity in midfield. Alongside him, Ronald Araújo has also faced interruptions due to muscular discomfort, reducing stability in the defense.
Forward Raphinha has struggled with hamstring problems, further complicating Barcelona’s attacking options. His pace and ability to stretch defenses are often missing in big matches, forcing Flick to lean heavily on Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.
These cumulative injuries highlight a recurring theme for Barcelona in recent years: a squad that struggles to maintain consistent fitness levels across competitions. Critics have pointed to the club’s demanding schedule, insufficient squad depth, and even training methods as possible factors behind the persistent injury crisis.
Despite the challenges, the Blaugrana remain competitive. Marc-André ter Stegen, fit again after his own previous setbacks, is expected to shoulder more responsibility in Garcia’s absence. Meanwhile, youngsters from La Masia may be given opportunities to step up, as Flick looks for solutions within the squad.
For Barcelona fans, the hope is that key players return before the season reaches its decisive stages. Until then, the club must cope with adversity and rely on its collective strength to remain in contention domestically and in Europe.