Terrible news hits FC Barcelona once again. Pedri, one of the team’s most essential players, has suffered a distal biceps femoris tear in his left leg, an injury expected to keep him out for about a month. According to RAC1, the problem began during El Clásico, where the young midfielder finished the game physically exhausted.
This is a devastating setback for Hansi Flick, whose injury list continues to grow at an alarming rate. Alongside Pedri, names such as Ter Stegen, Christensen, Gavi, Raphinha, Joan García, Dani Olmo and Lewandowski have all spent time in the medical room this season. Although Lewandowski and Olmo are close to returning, Pedri’s latest setback leaves a serious gap in Barça’s midfield creativity.
Pedri’s relentless workload
Before this injury, Pedri was one of only four players to feature in every match of the current season, along with Koundé, Eric García and Rashford. He was already going to miss the upcoming match against Elche because of suspension, but now his absence will last much longer.
The 22-year-old from Tegueste has barely had any rest in the last nine months. He has played 49 consecutive matches for club and country, missing only one since January 2025, and that was because of illness. These numbers show how important he is for Barcelona, but they also reveal the huge physical toll his body has endured.
“The human body is not a machine,” a Barça source said. “Pedri gives everything in every match, but sooner or later, fatigue always arrives.”
A story that repeats itself
This is not the first time Pedri has suffered a serious injury. The last time he was sidelined was during Euro 2024, when a knee sprain forced him to miss both the semifinal and the final. Since then, he has played 86 of the last 87 matches available to him. His commitment is extraordinary, but the club must now focus on protecting his long-term health rather than rushing his return.
Flick’s midfield dilemma
Hansi Flick now faces a difficult challenge in midfield. With Gavi still recovering, Bernal not yet ready and Olmo only recently back in training, the coach has just Casadó, De Jong and Fermín López available. This trio will likely form the core of the midfield in the coming weeks.
Casadó has earned Flick’s confidence, while De Jong may need to change roles, moving from a deep-lying number six to a more dynamic number eight. Meanwhile, young academy player Pedro Fernández “Dro” could also get his opportunity. The Galician talent has great technical ability and vision, qualities that could help replace some of Pedri’s creativity between the lines.
Injuries continue to haunt Barcelona
This season has been filled with physical problems for the squad. Despite a full pre-season and careful preparation, more than half of the team has already suffered injuries. Flick’s tactical progress has been slowed again and again, and the team’s rhythm has been interrupted.
With Pedri now out until after the international break, the manager will need to adapt once more. For a club known for its beautiful style of play, losing its creative leader in midfield is one of the toughest blows yet.
A worrying trend
Pedri’s injury is not just a matter of bad luck. It reflects a deeper concern about player management and the intensity of the current schedule. Overusing key players without enough rest is creating a dangerous cycle of muscle injuries that could derail the season.
Flick’s next challenge is clear. He must keep the team competitive while protecting the remaining healthy players. Without Pedri, Barcelona loses more than a footballer. It loses its rhythm, its creative spark and a symbol of its football identity.
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