Thursday 28 / November / 2024
MADRID: FC Barcelona look likely to be without Spain international Pedri Gonzalez for the rest of the season after the club confirmed the 19-year-old's injury suffered in the first half of their 3-2 Europa League defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night.
Pedri left the field at half-time complaining of a problem in his left hamstring and was replaced by Frenkie de Jong as Barca crashed out of the competition.
Early indications were that he had suffered a torn hamstring and those fears have now been confirmed.
"Tests on Friday morning have revealed that Pedri has ruptured the femoral biceps in his left hamstring. It means he will be unavailable for selection until he recovers from the injury," confirmed the Barca website.
With the season finishing on May 22, it seems unlikely Pedri can recover from such an injury in time to play again in this campaign, especially as he has been hampered by muscle problems since early September.
Pedri, who played an intense 2020-21 season of 73 matches, including the European Championships and the Olympic Games, only had a short summer break. He suffered a thigh injury playing Bayern Munich in the Champions League on September 14 and didn't reappear until January, when his comeback was also delayed by COVID-19.
Pedri's return has coincided with Barca's improved performances under Xavi Hernandez, but Xavi will now have to go ahead without him as his side look to keep their slim title hopes alive.
