Barcelona midfielder returning from injury steps up recovery during England training camp | OneFootball

Barcelona midfield star Fermin Lopez had one of the unluckiest ends to the 2025-26 campaign, picking up an injury in the last league game of the season.

The injury saw him miss out on a Spain World Cup berth, a call-up he would otherwise definitely have received, and he was forced to watch his teammates lift the trophy from the sidelines.

Fermin has been working hard ever since to return in top shape for Barça’s pre-season start, and he is now in England with the rest of the squad.

The 23-year-old Spaniard has taken another positive step in his recovery, increasing his workload during Barcelona’s latest pre-season session at St George’s Park.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the midfielder completed a larger portion of training with his teammates as he continues recovering from a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

Fermin moving closer to full training

The 23-year-old has been gradually reintegrated into the group rather than rushed back into full-intensity work. That approach makes sense given the nature of the injury.

Barcelona need Fermin available for the season, not merely fit enough to take part in an early friendly, and the club’s medical staff appear to be increasing his workload in controlled stages.

His improvement comes as Hansi Flick prepares the squad for Friday’s match against Birmingham City.

Whether Fermin is ready to feature remains uncertain, but completing more of the session with the group is an important sign.

Ronald Araujo also trained without any apparent problems, providing another welcome boost for Flick as Barcelona continue building fitness during their camp in England.

Inching closer to full return. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Balde and Raphinha remain separate cases

Alejandro Balde continued working away from the main group under an individual programme he has followed for the past week.

The left-back completed running exercises under the supervision of Barcelona’s recovery staff but has not yet rejoined full team training.

Raphinha also arrived at the camp today but did not take part in the morning session. He is on his way back from a hamstring injury he suffered during the World Cup.

For Barcelona, Fermin, Balde and Raphinha are important players who make the first XI when fit more often than not.

Fermin’s energy, movement into the box and ability to contribute goals from midfield make him especially valuable in Flick’s system.

His return would strengthen an already competitive group and give the coach another option between midfield and attack.

The signs are positive for Fermin, and it remains to be seen whether he gets any minutes against Birmingham City on Friday.