Barcelona are refusing to hit the panic button after one of their most promising young midfielders picked up a physical issue during the club’s opening pre-season friendly against CE Europa.
Hansi Flick opted for a heavily La Masia-focused side in the behind-closed-doors match, handing minutes to several young talents while senior figures like Marc-André ter Stegen and Marc Casadó featured off the bench. However, the 19-year-old talent sat out the fixture entirely, raising eyebrows among supporters.
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According to Diario AS reporter Javi Miguel, the midfielder is dealing with a minor muscle overload. The club’s medical staff have placed him on an individualized gym program to closely manage his workload and avoid any unnecessary risks.
While the issue is not believed to be serious, Barcelona are taking every precaution to ensure it doesn’t turn into a longer-term problem. That careful approach stems from the teenager’s recent history, having previously suffered a severe cruciate ligament injury against Rayo Vallecano, followed by an ankle issue that curtailed his momentum towards the end of last season.
The young starlet is expected to play a central role in Flick’s plans for the 2026/27 campaign. With captain Frenkie de Jong sidelined for an extended period and Casadó’s future still up in the air, both he and Gavi are in line for heavy minutes in the heart of midfield.
Barça’s priority isn’t rushing the teenager back for pre-season friendlies, but rather guaranteeing he is fully fit and durable for the long haul ahead.
