Barcelona’s Hansi Flick is poised to integrate an academy star into the first team for the 2025/26 season.
One of Barcelona’s academy talents, who has been sidelined by a serious shoulder injury, will come back to first-team training when he returns in August.
He made his first-team debut earlier in the May season and was earmarked for an important role in Hansi Flick’s plans for the 2025/26 season.
Everything was arranged before his injury, and it was a very frustrating injury for everyone concerned, as the young star was set to have a breakthrough year.
Although his injury was serious and only occurred two months ago, people are confident about his recovery, as reported by Diario Sport.
The club remains committed to him long-term under Flick’s fast-paced system, and the contract until 2027 shows how much they back him.
The player is 19-year-old Dani Rodriguez, who played for the first team for the first time against Real Valladolid in May, until he went down in the first half with an injury to his shoulder that needed surgery, meaning he would be out for three to four months.
Before that injury, Rodriguez received information from the national team that he would join Barcelona for their pre-season preparations, and from watching him play, Hansi Flick liked what he saw and was happy to give him an opportunity next season.
Rodriguez had already had a turbulent 2024/25 season due to injuries leading up to his debut, and was frustrated with his injury exacerbating what was shaping up to be an important breakthrough season.
In spite of the challenges, Rodriguez remains committed to rehabilitation and is focused on returning in August to be part of Flick’s plans.
Flick values young players who are dynamic and adaptable, and Rodriguez meets this criterion with his intelligence and versatility.
He will be returning at the beginning of pre-season, allowing him the opportunity to demonstrate his fitness and make a statement.
Barcelona’s sporting leadership sees the 2025/26 season as critical for Rodriguez, with a plan to integrate him into the senior squad if he is able to show consistency and resilience.
The club maintains faith in Rodriguez’s potential, and his resolve to work through this setback could ultimately be advantageous to Barcelona’s future.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
