Injury update: When will Barcelona’s sidelined players return to action? | OneFootball

FC Barcelona went into the mid-season Christmas break on a positive note, securing a 2-0 win over Villarreal that consolidated their position at the top of the La Liga table.

Following the loss to Chelsea in November, the Catalans have picked up seven wins in a row in all competitions and have momentum on their side heading into the decisive half of the campaign.

Barcelona will begin 2026 with a derby against an Espanyol side in their best form for many years on 3 January, followed by the first title of the season, the Spanish Super Cup, with a semi-final against Athletic Club on 7 January.

On the horizon is the final on 11 January against either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.

Given the string of important fixtures coming up once the season resumes, Hansi Flick will hope to recover his sidelined players at the earliest possible.

As such, here’s how things are shaping up with regard to Barcelona’s absentees and their potential return.

Gavi

The La Masia midfielder underwent arthroscopic surgery at the beginning of September to repair the damage to the internal meniscus in his right knee, which had already been operated on previously.

Both Gavi and Barcelona want to act with maximum caution as far as his recovery is concerned, so as to avoid dangerous relapses. Even though everything is progressing as planned, his gradual return to action is expected to happen in February.

Ronald Araujo

The Barcelona captain has had several weeks of rest to recover mentally, having not played since the red card against Chelsea. During this period, he has been following a specific training plan to maintain his physical condition.

As things stand, Araujo is expected to be ready to resume training next week and rejoin Flick’s plans at the start of 2026.

Araujo is expected to return in early 2026. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Dani Olmo

The attacking midfielder suffered a painful dislocation of his left shoulder during the game against Atletico Madrid on 3 December, in what was arguably his best performance of the season.

Since then, he has set himself the goal of being ready for the Spanish Super Cup and has been working intensively to achieve it, following a conservative treatment for the affected area. The idea is for him to get some minutes in the derby against Espanyol.

Pedri

The Spanish midfielder superstar, who had already been managed carefully in the Copa del Rey by playing only 15 minutes, missed the final match of the year against Villarreal due to discomfort in his soleus muscle.

According to the club’s medical report, he should be fit to play in the Catalan derby on 3 January against Espanyol.

Andreas Christensen

The Danish centre-back, who had returned to the team with a solid performance against Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey, suffered a partial ACL rupture days later in what came as a gutting blow for the player.

An awkward movement in training before the trip to Villarreal caused the serious injury. A conservative treatment has been chosen, and he will be out of action for four months, meaning his return will not take place until April at least.