Barça faces a key stretch of the season with determining matches in LaLiga and the Champions League with the azulgrana infirmary full. The latest injuries of Joan García and Raphinha force Hansi Flick to resort to unforeseen rotations and trust the reserve team squad, while waiting for Balde and Lamine to receive medical clearance soon.

FC Barcelona plays this Sunday, September 28, its eighth match of the 2025/26 season with a list of five confirmed absences and two possible returns. Hansi Flick's team will face Real Sociedad at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc (6:30 PM) with the confirmed absences of Ter Stegen, Gavi, Fermín, Joan García and Raphinha, and the doubts of Balde and Lamine Yamal, who have not yet received medical clearance.

Latest news on the injured Barça players

The azulgrana infirmary has become one of the main obstacles in this start to the season. The absence of key players conditions the rotations and forces the German coach to look for solutions in the squad to maintain competitiveness.

Current status of the injured players:

Marc-André ter Stegen: The German goalkeeper continues his recovery after undergoing surgery in July for lumbar problems. The estimated time of absence is four months, so his return is expected by the end of 2025.

Alejandro Balde: The left-back suffered an injury to the left hamstring. His return is expected in the last week of September, although after the increase in absences in the squad, he could receive medical clearance before the match against Real Sociedad.

Pablo Gavi: The midfielder had to undergo surgery after a severe injury to the internal meniscus of his right knee. He will be out for 4 to 5 months, which will keep him off the field until the beginning of 2026.

Lamine Yamal: The young winger suffered discomfort in his pubis after the international break. A rest period of three to four weeks is estimated. The coaching staff's goal is for him to be available on October 1 against PSG in the Champions League, however, it is not ruled out that he will receive medical clearance and be included in the squad list for the match against Real Sociedad.

Fermín López: The midfielder was injured in the left iliopsoas against Getafe. He will be out for about three weeks, which will allow him to reappear after the second international break in October.

Joan García: The goalkeeper from Sallent suffered a tear of the internal meniscus of his left knee in the match against Real Oviedo. He will undergo arthroscopic surgery and will be out for 4 to 6 weeks, seriously compromising his presence in the Clásico against Real Madrid at the end of October.

Raphinha: The Brazilian forward was injured in the right hamstring against Oviedo. He will be out for about three weeks. His substitution in the 66th minute set off alarms on the Barça bench and, unfortunately, the worst news was confirmed.