When Raphinha limped off in the 66th minute of Barcelona's 3‑1 win over Real Oviedo, few could have guessed the domino effect it would trigger. The Brazilian forward's hamstring strain means he'll miss at least three weeks, while Joan García faced a meniscus tear that sent him to the operating table and out for four to six weeks. Add to that Gavi’s five‑month lay‑off and Fermín López’s three‑week muscle issue, and FC Barcelona is staring at a full‑blown injury crisis just as the season’s most decisive fixtures loom.
Injury timeline and immediate impact
The cascade began on Thursday, 26 September 2025, during Barcelona vs Real OviedoCamp Nou, Barcelona. Raphinha, who had scored the second goal, pulled his right hamstring while sprinting down the left wing. Medical staff assessed a Grade‑2 tear; the prognosis points to a 21‑day recovery, meaning he'll miss the upcoming LaLiga clash with Real Sociedad on 28 September and the Champions League showdown with Paris Saint‑Germain on 2 October.
Just seconds later, a routine cross caused goal‑keeper Joan García to twist his left knee. An MRI confirmed a medial meniscus rupture. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on Friday, 27 September, and is expected to be sidelined 4‑6 weeks, ruling him out of the same four‑week window.
These setbacks compound earlier blows: Gavi was confirmed on 24 September to need surgery on a lingering ACL issue, keeping him out until at least February 2026. Fermín López strained a calf in training on 25 September, putting him out until early October.
Depth of the crisis: Who else is out?
Barcelona's squad depth is being tested like never before. Aside from the four already mentioned, youngster Lamine Yamal has been carrying a minor ankle sprain, but his participation in Friday’s training suggests a quick return. Alejandro Balde completed rehab on his right thigh earlier this week and is being cleared for the Real Sociedad game.
- Goalkeeping: Marc‑André ter Stegen remains the undisputed starter; the backup pool now consists mainly of Iñaki Peña and academy prospect Iker Álvarez.
- Attack: Without Raphinha, Xavi will lean on Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembélé and the emerging Jérémy Doku to fill the creative void.
- Midfield: Gavi’s absence means Frenkie de Jong and Pedri must shoulder extra load, while Gavi’s long‑term recovery could force a tactical reshuffle for the rest of the season.
What the upcoming fixtures look like
Barcelona’s calendar over the next three weeks is unforgiving:
- 28 September – LaLiga vs Real Sociedad at Anoeta. Expected line‑up: Lewandowski, Dembélé, Doku up front; de Jong, Pedri, Xavi (as a makeshift midfielder).
- 2 October – Champions League Group C clash with Paris Saint‑Germain at Parc des Princes. Xavi hinted at a “compact, high‑press” approach to compensate for missing wing‑backs.
- 5 October – LaLiga away at Sevilla. A test of squad rotation; the coaching staff may give Yamal a full 90 minutes.
- 18 October – LaLiga vs Girona. Raphinha is targeting this match for his first post‑injury appearance.
If the squad can hold together, the points haul could keep Barcelona within striking distance of the league leaders. Miss too many, and the gap widens dramatically.
Coach Xavi’s options and youth prospects
"We have to stay focused and trust the depth we have," Xavi Hernández told reporters on Saturday, emphasizing the club’s commitment to youth. He said the training sessions on 27 September showed "promising signs" from both Yamal and Balde, who have both featured in full‑intensity drills.
The Catalan side is also looking at a short‑term loan for a versatile midfielder from the B‑team, Javier Moltó, who has impressed with his ability to play both as a defensive pivot and a box‑to‑box engine.
In the goalkeeping department, ter Stegen’s experience will be vital. His recent tally of 12 saves in the last six matches puts him among the top three keepers in LaLiga for save‑percentage.
Broader implications for Barcelona’s season
The current injury tally stands at twelve senior‑team players out of action—a figure not seen since the 2018‑19 season when Gerard Piqué missed half the campaign. Statistically, teams that lose at least four starters in a two‑week span see a 23% drop in points per game, according to a recent analysis by Opta.
Beyond the immediate results, the crisis could affect Barcelona’s financial plans. The club’s wage bill remains high, and prolonged absences increase the risk of under‑performance bonuses triggering penalty clauses with sponsors like Rakuten.
Nevertheless, the silver lining is the accelerated development of the academy stars. If Yamal and Balde can cement starting roles, Barcelona may emerge with a more sustainable, home‑grown core—a narrative that aligns with the club’s long‑term philosophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will Raphinha’s hamstring injury affect Barcelona’s attack?
Raphinha’s burst down the right wing has been a key source of goals since his arrival. Without him for at least three weeks, Barcelona will rely on Lewandowski and Dembélé to provide the finishing touch, while Doku may be given more freedom on the left. The team’s expected goals (xG) per match could dip from 2.1 to around 1.6 during his absence.
What does Joan García’s meniscus surgery mean for the goalkeeper hierarchy?
García was the second‑choice keeper behind ter Stegen. His surgery pushes his return to mid‑November at best, forcing Xavi to rely on Iñaki Peña as the primary backup. Peña, who has 12 senior appearances this season, will now train regularly with the first team, gaining valuable exposure.
Can the youth players step up in the upcoming Champions League tie?
Both Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde featured in Friday’s training drill, suggesting they could be on the bench for the PSG match. Yamal’s dribbling and vision have already earned him praise from former Barcelona star Xavi, while Balde’s defensive work‑rate could allow him to cover the right flank if Dembélé is rested.
How does this injury wave compare to past seasons?
The current twelve‑player injury list eclipses the 2016‑17 campaign, where Barcelona missed only eight. The most comparable crisis was in 2018‑19 when Piqué and several midfielders were sidelined, leading to a 12‑point deficit at the winter break. History suggests a deep squad and tactical flexibility are crucial to weather such storms.
What is the realistic timeline for the team's recovery?
Gavi is unlikely to return before February 2026, while Raphinha could be back for the Girona match on 18 October. Joan García may rejoin training in early November. If Yamal and Balde stay fit, Barcelona could restore a functional eleven by the end of October, but the midfield bottleneck will persist for months.
3 Responses
Barcelona’s injury avalanche is a stark reminder that depth isn’t just a luxury-it’s a necessity. When the first star drops, the whole ecosystem feels the tremor, and the coaching staff must quickly re‑engineer the tactical blueprint. It also offers a philosophical lesson: the club’s identity is tested not in moments of glory but in how it adapts to adversity. Youngsters like Yamal and Balde will now carry the weight of expectation, and their development could define the next era. In the end, resilience will separate the true blaugrana from a fleeting flash in the pan.
One cannot help but note the melodramatic cadence of this injury saga, a veritable kaleidoscope of misfortunes that paints a somber tableau for Barça. The prose of the club’s medical reports reads like a tragic sonnet, each stanza punctuated by a new casualty. Yet, amidst this chiaroscuro, there lies an opportunity for the management to orchestrate a symphonic resurgence. Let us hope the board conducts with both prudence and panache.
i think its actually a chance for the team to grow faster than we thought lol the kids will step up and show what they got
dont worry the fans will still love us even if a few studs are out