FC Barcelona is currently at its peak in terms of the number of injured players. At this moment, the Blaugrana team is without eight of its key first-team players. However, the prospects of these players' return are not all the same, as while some see their return to the field as imminent, others are just beginning long recovery processes.
Below, at FCBN, we explain in detail the eight cases of these Culés assets who are currently in the club's infirmary and their options for returning to action soon:
Dani Olmo
Dani Olmo has been the latest of the great Culés values to be knocked out. The Terrassa native had to be replaced in the match last Sunday between Girona and FC Barcelona (1-4) at Montilivi in the 21st minute after feeling a 'twinge' in his right thigh. The result? Finally, after some medical tests, it has been determined that the Egarense has a rupture of the biceps femoris in the right leg, with an estimated downtime of between four and five weeks. He is not expected back until mid-October, missing about eight matches.
Fermín López
Fermín López is another recent case of FC Barcelona players who have had to visit the infirmary in this 2024/25 season. The Huelva-born player suffered a muscle injury during a training session with the Spanish U-21 national team on September 3, and the club estimated he would be out for about three weeks. Therefore, he is not expected to return to the field until late September.
Marc Bernal
The case of Marc Bernal is probably the most discouraging of all. After suffering a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and the associated injury to the external meniscus, which occurred at the end of the match between Rayo Vallecano and FC Barcelona (1-2) on matchday three of LaLiga EA Sports. That physical setback, as usual, required corrective surgery with a recovery time estimated at 12 months. Therefore, he is not expected to return for the 2024/25 season, likely coming back for the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Andreas Christensen
Andreas Christensen, despite participating in the first match of the 2024/25 season for FC Barcelona in LaLiga EA Sports, has finally fallen victim to Achilles tendonopathy in his left Achilles on August 24. It is estimated that this condition will require a recovery time of two to four months. Therefore, in the best-case scenario, he could return by mid-October, while in the worst-case scenario, it would be in December.
Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati is one of those cases with a very positive outlook for a return to action. The player from Bissau had been suffering from plantar fasciitis in his right foot since July 24. Several months have passed since that physical setback, during which the '10' has missed only five official matches.
However, the forward has been showing impeccable form since returning to Barça training. Given this, his return to matchday squads is not at all unlikely and could happen soon, possibly for the match against AS Monaco in the Champions League on Thursday, September 19.
Ronald Araújo
The case of Ronald Araújo is another prolonged one within FC Barcelona. The Uruguayan, while on duty with the Uruguayan national team during Copa America 2024, suffered a hamstring tendon injury in his right thigh in the match against Brazil on July 7, after feeling a 'twinge' in the back of his right thigh. After undergoing surgery on July 22, a four-month recovery period was estimated. Therefore, he is not expected to return until late this year or even early next year.
Frenkie de Jong
Regarding Frenkie de Jong, there has recently been a notable improvement in his prospects, as the Dutchman recently returned to training with the team after being out of action for five months following a severe grade II ankle sprain in his right ankle. This injury occurred on April 21 during the Clásico against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, part of LaLiga EA Sports 2023/24.
With his return to training, it wouldn't be surprising to see him included in the squad for the match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF on September 22. However, his participation will largely depend on his physical sensations.
Pablo Gavi
As for Pablo Gavi, the news is much more encouraging. After nearly 10 months of inactivity due to the unfortunate injury he suffered on November 19 with the Spanish national team (a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and an associated injury to the external meniscus) during the match in Matchday 10 of the qualifiers for Euro 2024 against Georgia, the Andalusian has returned to training with the Culé team. However, his return will not be rushed, and he is expected back between mid-October and early November, once he has completed the 12-month recovery cycle.