A tear in the distal biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh will keep Barcelona’s midfield maestro Pedri out of action for a significant period, forcing him to miss several critical upcoming matches, including a crucial UEFA Champions League clash against Chelsea.
In a major blow to FC Barcelona, the club confirmed on Wednesday that key midfielder Pedri has sustained a significant thigh injury.
The 22-year-old sustained a tear in the distal biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh during Sunday’s El Clásico defeat to Real Madrid, an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks.
This development means Pedri will be absent for a string of important matches.
While he was already suspended for the upcoming La Liga game against Elche following his red card in the Clásico, he will now also miss the Champions League trip to Club Brugge and the league fixture against Celta Vigo.
Reports from sources like Diario AS suggest his absence could extend to six or seven weeks, meaning he would also be unavailable for high-profile matches against Chelsea and Atlético Madrid.
The club’s official statement confirmed the specific nature of the injury: “First team player Pedri has suffered a tear in the distal biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh,” adding that “the player’s recovery will dictate his return to action”.
While the club has not specified an exact return date, sources indicate he is not expected to play again until after the November international break.
The estimated recovery timeline varies among reports. While some suggest a period of three to five weeks , others, including Diario AS, report a more pessimistic outlook of six to seven weeks . If the longer prognosis holds true, Pedri would be ruled out of at least eight matches.
Matches Pedri Is Expected to Miss
| Competition | Opponent | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|
| La Liga | Elche | Home |
| UEFA Champions League | Club Brugge | Away |
| La Liga | Celta Vigo | Away |
| La Liga | Athletic Club | Home |
| UEFA Champions League | Chelsea | Away |
| La Liga | Alavés | Home |
| La Liga | Atlético Madrid | Home |
| La Liga | Real Betis | Away |
A Deeper Blow to Barcelona’s Squad
This injury is particularly devastating for Barcelona as Pedri has been an indispensable part of manager Hansi Flick’s system.
Until this setback, he had played in all 13 of Barcelona’s matches this season and had appeared in all but one competitive game since Flick’s appointment.
His ability to control the midfield tempo and connect play has made him a central figure for the team.
The injury also reignites concerns over Pedri’s long-term fitness. After a breakout season in 2020-21, the Spaniard was plagued by a series of muscular problems for two years.
He had seemingly put those issues behind him, playing 59 appearances in all competitions last season and enjoying a consistent run of 41 consecutive games before this setback.
This is his first muscle injury since a hamstring problem during the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
What’s Next for Hansi Flick’s Team?
With Pedri sidelined and a lengthy injury list that has also included Joan Garica, Gavi, Raphinha, and Ter Stegen, coach Hansi Flick faces a selection headache.
The manager must now find solutions within his squad. Potential replacements in midfield include Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal, or Fermín López, who could partner with Frenkie de Jong.
The return of Lewandowski and Olmo to training offers a slight boost, but finding a way to compensate for Pedri’s unique quality remains Flick’s biggest challenge.
Barcelona’s next match is at home against Elche on Sunday, where they will have to start their new reality without their midfield linchpin.
