FC Barcelona closes out 2025 this Sunday with a visit to Villarreal (16:15 CEST). The Catalan team arrives at LaLiga matchday 17 as leader with a 4-point advantage over Real Madrid, but will be without a total of four players at La Cerámica, three of them due to injury.
On Saturday, Hansi Flick confirmed Pedri González's absence against the 'Yellow Submarine'. The midfielder is suffering from discomfort in his left calf and, given the risk of a considerable hamstring injury, the club has preferred to keep him sidelined."Pedri will miss the match against Villarreal CF as a precaution, due to mild muscle discomfort. The player is expected to be available for the next match against RCD Espanyol," details the statement shared by Barça on their social media.
The Tegueste native was a substitute on Tuesday against Guadalajara, but played 15 minutes in the second half. In October, he suffered a right thigh injury that kept him out for a month, which is why Barça prefers to rest the midfielder so he arrives in optimal condition for January.
Dani Olmo and Ronald Araujo will also not be available against Villarreal
Another of the injured players for LaLiga matchday 17 is Dani Olmo. The Terrassa native suffered a **dislocation of his left shoulder** against Atlético de Madrid on December 2nd and will be out of action until early 2026. Although it is unlikely he will be medically cleared for the match against Espanyol (January 3rd), the coaching staff is confident they will have the attacking midfielder available for the Spanish Super Cup.
Prior to his shoulder injury, Olmo scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists in 17 games (958 minutes). He ended up getting injured right after scoring his fourth goal of the season and has already missed 8 games in 25/26 due to muscle problems.
Ronald Araujo will also not be available against Villarreal. The center-back asked the club for a special leave to step away from the squad after his expulsion against Chelsea in the Champions League on November 25.
The 'charrúa's' low spirits led him to travel to the Holy Land to regain his confidence, and the '4' is expected to return to work on December 29, after spending Christmas with his family. This season, Araujo played 886 minutes in 15 games (9 as a starter) in which he scored a couple of goals.
Gavi, Barça's Only Serious Injury Concern at the Close of 2025
Heading into the last match of 2025, Pablo Gavi is Barcelona's only serious absentee. The Andalusian is progressing in his recovery from his right knee, which underwent arthroscopy at the end of last September to alleviate meniscus discomfort.
In principle, the '6' will be out until the end of February or early March, although Gavi's goal is to be available for a potential Champions League playoff in mid-February. Before relapsing with his knee problems, the midfielder accumulated 66 minutes of action in the first two league matchdays, coming on as a substitute against Mallorca (0-3) and Levante (2-3).
Ter Stegen was also sidelined for four months after back surgery, but received medical clearance this month and already played his first match of the season against Guadalajara, in the Copa del Rey debut.