Barcelona midfielder Fermín López has been sidelined for approximately two weeks due to a minor injury to the soleus muscle in his right leg, the club announced on Thursday.
The 22-year-old Spanish international sustained the setback during a recent LaLiga clash, compounding concerns for the Catalan giants amid a demanding schedule.
The injury occurred last Saturday during Barcelona’s match against Athletic Club, where López was on the receiving end of a reckless tackle from Bilbao midfielder Oihan Sancet.
The challenge resulted in Sancet being shown a straight red card, but López managed to continue playing despite visible discomfort.
Demonstrating his resilience, he even started in Barcelona’s subsequent Champions League fixture against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, before being substituted due to the pain persisting.
Medical tests conducted after the Chelsea game confirmed the soleus muscle injury, described by the club as “small” but sufficient to keep him out of action for the next fortnight.
Soleus injuries affect the muscle in the calf (the back part of the lower leg). It helps with running, jumping, and pushing off the ground.
He has a small strain, which means the muscle is slightly overstretched or irritated, not a major tear.
Recovery time is about 2 weeks, which is normal for a mild calf strain. After that, he should be able to return once the team’s medical staff clears him.
This layoff comes at an inopportune time for Barcelona, which is navigating a packed calendar across domestic and European competitions.
López will miss key upcoming fixtures, including the high-stakes LaLiga encounter against Alaves and Atlético de Madrid at the Camp Nou next Tuesday.
The club’s medical staff estimates a two-week recovery. He is also expected to miss the December 6 clash against Real Betis, plus the Champions League game versus Eintracht Frankfurt on December 9 he’ll miss.
His absence could open the door for other midfield options, such as Dani Olmo, to step into the attacking midfield role and stake a claim for a starting spot.
López has been a breakout star for Barcelona since emerging from the club’s famed La Masia academy.
This season, he has featured prominently under head coach Hansi Flick, contributing goals and assists while establishing himself as a versatile and energetic presence in midfield.
His injury adds to Barcelona’s ongoing fitness challenges, with the team already dealing with various absences throughout the campaign.
The club has not provided further details on López’s rehabilitation timeline beyond the initial two-week estimate, but fans will hope for a swift and full recovery.
Barcelona will be hopeful of having López back ahead of the crucial mid-December fixtures. Stay tuned for updates on López’s condition and Barcelona’s squad news as the season progresses.
