Huge blow for Barcelona as key star misses final training

Barcelona has been hit with a devastating last-minute scare as one of their undisputed stars failed to complete the final training.

One of the team’s most in-form forwards became a significant doubt after an early departure from the training facilities on Friday morning, raising serious questions about his availability for the home game.

This unexpected development comes on the heels of his absence from Thursday’s training session, putting the player’s participation in the match under considerable uncertainty and rattling the club’s preparations for a game that carries special significance as the return to their historic stadium after two and a half years.

The player in question is Marcus Rashford, the English forward who has been a standout performer for Barcelona this season, contributing six goals and nine assists in 16 appearances, as reported by Diario Sport.

Rashford arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training ground on Friday but left shortly after 9 am, intensifying concerns about his fitness and readiness to face Athletic Club.

Despite his impressive form, Rashford has now missed two consecutive training sessions, making him a big doubt for the crucial clash.

Club sources have yet to disclose the exact nature of his problem, though it is believed that the issue is not a serious injury.

Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, will be hoping for a positive update that could see Rashford available for the match, especially since other key players like Raphinha, Joan Garcia, Marc Casado, and Lamine Yamal are reportedly fit and expected to return.

However, with Pedri still sidelined and Frenkie de Jong suspended for the game, the potential absence of Rashford—a player who has monopolized the left wing since Raphinha’s injury—leaves Barcelona short of attacking options in a key area of the pitch.