Barcelona have confirmed left-back Alejandro Balde suffered a distal hamstring injury in his left leg, the severity of which was known Sunday morning after tests.
An official rehabilitation period has not been provided by the club, but Diario Sport says the 20-year-old will miss around three weeks.
Balde’s departure leaves a vast hole in Hansi Flick’s squad, the young left-back having been one of the outstanding players this season with his speed, attacking flank overlaps, and defensive solidity.
In a statement, Barcelona released officially : “Tests carried out on first-team player Alejandro Balde confirm that he has suffered a distal injury to his left hamstring. His return to competitive action will be subject to his recovery process.”
The club’s release statement indicates that they are playing it safe, declining to comment on the possible comeback date. Still, as initially indicated, the injury will most likely keep the Spanish international out of action for approximately three weeks.
This error robbed Balde of a string of high-profile games, including Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match against Borussia Dortmund, key La Liga matches against Celta Vigo and Mallorca, and—most critically—the Copa del Rey final match against Real Madrid on April 26.
Without him, Hansi Flick can be left resorting to stopgaps, 23-year-old Gerard Martín the prime standby.
Martín has acquitted himself well of late, but his comparative inexperience in big games can be a liability, especially when there are titles at stake.
The loss comes at the worst time for Barcelona, who are engaged on several fronts during the season-deciding phase.
Losing a first-team player like Balde can destabilize the team’s equilibrium, requiring tactical adjustments at a critical moment.
The team will be praying for a return free of injuries, but his absence during these crucial games certainly reduces their chances in future title contests.
Tests carried out on Sunday morning on the first team player Alejandro Balde confirm that he has a distal injury to his left hamstring. His return to action with the first team will depend on his recovery. pic.twitter.com/vgoEsQZ0tF
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 13, 2025
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