Barcelona suffered an unexpected blow during the international break after announcing that their defender Alejandro Balde was injured during training, raising doubts about his readiness for upcoming domestic and European matches.

The Catalan club issued an official statement explaining that Balde sustained a minor injury to his left hamstring during Wednesday’s training session. They confirmed that the player’s participation in upcoming matches will depend on the speed of his recovery and response to treatment, without specifying a timeline for his absence.

The Catalan team continues training at Ciutat Esportiva under the leadership of German coach Hans Flick, relying on non-international players. This comes at a time when Barcelona needs to correct its course, especially after their recent 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano, placing them fourth in La Liga with 7 points.

Barcelona is preparing for a tough match against Valencia on September 14, as part of the fourth round of La Liga, in a game whose venue has not yet been officially determined. Four days later, the team will face a challenging test against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in the first group stage match of the UEFA Champions League.

So far, Barcelona’s medical staff has not finalized Balde’s status for participation against Valencia or Newcastle, as it will depend on how quickly he recovers in the coming days. His confirmed absence would be a significant defensive loss, especially given the team’s need to secure their backline in crucial matches.