The reality is two of the players are unavailable due to injuries. For Pedri, he is still dealing with a muscle injury in his right hamstring. His return date is scheduled for February 22, for the match against Levante. Pedri suffered the injury after the match against Slavia Praha on January 21st.

As for Rashford, he is nursing a knee injury. Per manager Hansi Flick, “Marcus is feeling better.” However, the German coach won’t risk him until he is fully fit to come back to play. He is scheduled to come back on the same date as Pedri, according to Rotowire. Lewandowski is on the bench due to a tactical decision by Hansi Flick.

Both Rashford and Pedri’s absences by the numbers

Rashford has started 13 of 21 games where he’s played. He has 10 G+A this year in LaLiga. That translates to 0.72 goal involvements per 90 minutes played. Rashford is a very reliable option for Barcelona as well. He can play wide left, wide right, or as a classic number nine.

Pedri’s numbers are not as flashy, as he has just seven G+A in LaLiga this season, though he has played in 16 games. However, Pedri’s relevance goes way beyond just his output. He has made the LaLiga ‘Team of the Week‘ four times, and creates big chances, as he averages 2.4 key passes per game and completes 91% of his passes.

Are Girona a threat to Barcelona?

Girona shouldn’t be much of a dangerous opponent to Barça. As a matter of fact, Girona are 15th on the table and battling relegation. They haven’t won in three games, and have the third-worst home record in Spain this season. At home, they’ve conceded 18 goals and scored just 10 in 11 games.

Hence, Barcelona should be able to get three points, as they are the second-best away team in LaLiga. Barcelona have won eight and tied one game out of the 12 played away from their stadium. When being the visiting side, Barcelona have scored 29 goals, though they have received 18. Still, having Lewandowski as an option straight from the bench is a luxury many teams would love to have, just in case Barça need a clinical striker to solve any offensive issues.

Raphinha continues to recover from a right adductor strain that kept him sidelined during Barcelona’s recent victories over Albacete in the cup and Mallorca in LaLiga. The club expect his recovery to take approximately one week, meaning the Brazilian winger should be available for the upcoming league match against Girona.

“He is a player who always gives everything, always plays with such intensity. When he feels something, we have to take care of him and perhaps take a step back,” Flick said of Raphinha during his pre-match press conference. “That is the situation right now. Of course, I am not happy about it because we need him“.

As for the English forward, Barcelona confirmed that he sustained a knock and will not feature tonight. “First-team player Marcus Rashford has pain in his left knee after taking a blow in the game against Mallorca on Saturday at Spotify Camp Nou. The player will miss Thursday’s Copa del Rey game against Atletico Madrid,” the club stated in an official release.

Finally, midfielder Pedri remains in the rehabilitation phase after suffering a muscle injury to the biceps femoris in his right leg during a Champions League encounter against Slavia Praha. The club has indicated he will be out for roughly a month, with a target return date of February 22 against Levante.

Barcelona welcome back a vital cog

It isn’t all bad news for Flick, as the German manager will have Frenkie de Jong at his disposal for this high-pressure semifinal. The Dutch midfielder missed the previous match against Mallorca due to pubalgia discomfort but has since returned to full training. He is expected to start in the heart of the pitch tonight.

While Barcelona boast a deep squad, the absence of three starters forces Flick to shuffle his lineup. Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres are all projected to start as the Catalan giants look to overcome the hostile atmosphere in Madrid.

Pedri is unavailable for tonight’s decisive clash after suffering a muscle injury to the biceps femoris in his right leg during Barcelona’s previous Champions League encounter—a 4-2 victory against Slavia Praha.

“Tests carried out this morning have confirmed that first-team player Pedro González ‘Pedri’ has a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of his right leg. The expected recovery time is one month,” Barcelona stated in an official medical report.

The news has sparked concern within the Catalan club, as this marks Pedri’s third muscle-related injury of the current campaign. Earlier this season, a muscle tear sidelined him for 31 days, causing him to miss five matches, followed by a brief period out due to minor discomfort. This latest setback is expected to keep him off the pitch for approximately four or five weeks.

Which Barcelona games could Pedri miss?

The club has confirmed a recovery timeline of approximately one month, meaning Pedri is set to miss several key fixtures across all competitions. Having already sat out the recent 3-0 win over Real Oviedo, his absence continues with tonight’s Champions League clash.

Looking ahead, he is expected to miss LaLiga matches against Elche (Jan 31), Mallorca (Feb 7), and Girona (Feb 15), as well as the Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Albacete (Feb 3). Should Barcelona advance in the domestic cup, he would also be ruled out for the first leg of the semifinals, scheduled to take place between February 10 and February 12.

The European stage presents further complications; if Barcelona fail to secure direct qualification to the Round of 16 tonight, Pedri would likely miss the first leg of the Champions League knockout phase playoffs on February 17 or 18.

While a potential return is tentatively penciled in for the league fixture against Levante on February 22, the club may exercise extreme caution given his injury history this season. In that case, his comeback could be delayed until the match against Villarreal on March 1 to ensure he is at full strength for the final stretch of the campaign.

What could have been a full-on celebration for the Catalan club might end up being a bit more subdued. According to Mundo Deportivo, two key teammates — Robert Lewandowski and Pedri — are reportedly not expected to attend the gala.

Having already experienced the event before, Pedri has decided to prioritize rest this time. With Barcelona’s schedule growing more demanding, the midfielder prefers to stay in Spain and focus on preparing for Thursday’s league match against Real Oviedo.

Pedri is currently the only Barça outfield player who has started every single game this season. That includes all four opening league matches as well as their Champions League group stage debut, making his decision to skip the gala understandable.

Why Lewandowski might not attend

Lewandowski, meanwhile, reportedly opted out because he does not see himself as a frontrunner for the award. There may also be lingering frustration between France Football and the Polish striker, given the events of 2020.

Many fans and analysts believe Lewandowski was “robbed” of the 2020 Ballon d’Or when France Football, the award’s organizer, canceled that year’s ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision sparked controversy, as Lewandowski had been the overwhelming favorite to win.

During the 2019-20 campaign, Lewandowski led Bayern Munich to a historic treble, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League, while also finishing as the top scorer in every competition.

The Lewandowski controversy lives on

The debate reignited in 2021 when the award returned and Lionel Messi was named the winner for a fantastic season with Barcelona. Even Messi acknowledged the situation during his acceptance speech, stating that Lewandowski deserved the 2020 award. This public recognition only fueled the belief that the striker had been unfairly denied one of soccer’s most prestigious individual honors.

Rodri gave a clear answer about who he thinks are the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or. “Out of affection, I would like Lamine or Pedri to win, although if it’s based on sporting merits, maybe Ousmane or Vitinha,” he said at the press conference. Although he mentioned Yamal as one of the favorites, implying that he does not have sufficient sporting merits was somewhat controversial.

In the 2024-25 season, Lamine Yamal emerged as one of the world’s top talents, netting 18 goals and delivering 25 assists over 55 appearances for Barcelona. His influence extended to the international stage, where he shone for Spain in the Nations League, scoring three goals and contributing one assist. Despite being 18 years old and not winning the 2025 Champions League title, his remarkable performances have solidified his status among the elite.

Rodri made headlines by including Pedri and Vitinha among his favorite players for the prestigious award. While neither player is known for scoring goals like wingers or forwards, their recent performances have been vital, significantly impacting their team’s offense. Notably, Vitinha stands out as a strong contender for the award, having clinched both the Champions League and Nations League titles last season.

When will the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or be announced?

Following an action-packed season, anticipation for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is reaching a fever pitch as several standout candidates vie for soccer’s most prestigious individual honor. The winner will be revealed on Monday, September 22, during a grand ceremony at the iconic Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.

Either Dembele or Lamine could make history by winning the Ballon d’Or

Despite featuring strong contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal are the top favorites to chinch the award. And both have opportunities to make history. if Paris Saint-Germain’s standout Dembele wins, he will become the sixth French player to earn the honor. This victory would elevate France to eight awards, tying with Argentina for the most in the award’s history.

Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal holds the potential to set an astonishing record. Should the Barcelona prodigy win, he would become the youngest Ballon d’Or recipient ever, achieving this feat at just 18 years and 2 months old. This would surpass Ronaldo Nazario’s milestone, established when he won at 21 years and 3 months.

During a press conference following the announcement, de la Fuente explained his selections and took the opportunity to single out one of his players as the best in the world in his position. That player is Pedri, who, according to de la Fuente, stands unmatched in his position.

“Simplifying, I think we have the chance to rely on the best players in the world in many positions. And Pedri, right now, is at a point of maturity, performance, and game interpretation like never before,” de la Fuente said. “I still believe we haven’t seen the best Pedri we’re going to see. He has room to grow, and we’re going to witness and enjoy it,” he added.

The coach emphasized Pedri’s importance to the team. “He gives us a lot of versatility. He can play in more advanced roles, closer to the area, but at his club, he plays more as a number eight, deeper, and he does it exceptionally well. He allows us to adjust our game thanks to his talent”. De la Fuente concluded with a bold declaration: “For me, he’s the best player in the world in his position, and we’re going to enjoy and value him”.

Pedri’s pick for the greatest player

While his coach sees him as the best, Pedri himself has a clear opinion about the greatest player of all time. During a Twitch stream with Spanish personality Ibai Llanos, Pedri named Lionel Messi as his pick for the GOAT.

“I think he’s the best in history,” Pedri admitted. “I was lucky enough to play alongside him, and it was crazy. Just watching him train made me think, ‘What am I doing here with him?’”

The 22-year-old midfielder also reminisced about the first time he met Messi. “I’ll always remember the first day. I walked into the locker room, and I froze,” Pedri recalled. “It wasn’t just seeing him and asking for a photo. It was that I was about to train with him. Imagine being a 17-year-old kid from Las Palmas, and the first person you see is Messi. It’s overwhelming”.

Spain’s squad for the Nations League

Here’s the roster de la Fuente has chosen to face the Netherlands:

Goalkeepers

• David Raya (Arsenal)
• Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao)
• Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad)

Defenders

• Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
• Óscar Mingueza (Celta de Vigo)
• Robin Le Normand (Atlético Madrid)
• Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
• Iñigo Martínez (Barcelona)
• Raúl Asencio (Real Madrid)
• Grimaldo (Benfica)
• Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)

Midfielders

• Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)
• Marc Casadó (Barcelona)
• Fabián Ruiz (PSG)
• Mikel Merino (Arsenal)
• Álex Baena (Villarreal)
• Pedri (Barcelona)

Forwards

• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
• Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
• Ferrán Torres (Barcelona)
• Yeremy (Villarreal)
• Dani Olmo (Barcelona)
• Ayoze Pérez (Villarreal)
• Álvaro Morata (Galatasaray)
• Bryan Zaragoza (Osasuna)
• Samu (Porto)
• Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)

The squad notably excludes several high-profile players, such as Isco, Gayá, Gavi, Alejandro Baldé, Fermín Lopez, and Eric Garcia. Despite these omissions, de la Fuente appears confident in the group he’s assembled to lead Spain in the crucial Nations League showdown.

The young midfielder suffered a sprained inner lateral ligament in his left knee in the quarter-final match against Germany, after a hard foul by Toni Kroos just three minutes into the game. Despite attempting to continue, Pedri was forced to leave the field and was replaced by Dani Olmo after just seven minutes.

Barcelona has indicated that Pedri’s recovery could take up to a month and a half. This timeline means the 21-year-old midfielder will miss the preseason and could be doubtful for the start of the Spanish LaLiga on August 16.

Pedri’s response to Toni Kroos

Following Spain’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Germany, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, who committed the foul that led to Pedri’s injury, sent a message of apology: “Sorry and get well soon Pedri! It was not my intention to hurt you. A speedy recovery and all the best. You are a great player.”

Pedri responded the next day, expressing his gratitude in a social media post: “I came to Germany for Euro 2024 and here I will continue, until the end. Because the dream, have no doubt, continues. This week it’s my turn to encourage and contribute in another way to this great family that is the Spanish National Team. Your support and that of all of you are incredible. The hardest moment has passed and the road back to being at full strength with Barcelona has begun. Thank you, Toni Kroos, for your message. This is soccer, and these things happen. Your career and your achievements will remain forever.”

Spain will need to rally without their young star, but with a strong squad, they remain determined to push for glory at Euro 2024.

In 2022, FC Barcelona decided to sign Robert Lewandowski to finally have a top striker up front. Since Luis Suarez’s departure, the Culers were unable to have a decent center forward, and the Polish was the right answer to solve this problem.

However, Lewandowski’s age is now a problem for the club. The 35-year-old striker could be living his final days with the team, and they have to find a decent replacement for him soon.

Pedri highlights his choice for Lewandowski’s potential replacement at FC Barcelona

Most FC Barcelona fans are aware that Lewandowski’s tenure with the team may conclude soon. With the club aiming to rejuvenate its roster using younger talents, the 35-year-old striker appears to be excluded from their future plans.

Recently, the team signed Vitor Roque, who is set to be the team’s striker in the near future. However, Pedri thinks that there are two players in the Premier League that FC Barcelona should sign to replace Lewandowski.

In conversation with Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos, Pedri expressed his preference for either Erling Haaland or Julian Alvarez to join FC Barcelona, potentially replacing Robert Lewandowski.

Llanos asked the midfielder about the player Barcelona should sign next. Pedri mentioned Haaland or Alvarez, prompting the streamer to inquire about Lewandowski. “Yes, but he won’t be playing until he’s 60 years old,” replied the midfielder.

As mentioned earlier, Vitor Roque has already joined the team and may be included in the club’s roster soon. However, Haaland and Alvarez have showcased remarkable performances at Manchester City in a top competition like the Premier League, drawing significant interest from multiple clubs eyeing the signing of both strikers.

What is the market value of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez?

The main problem in Pedri’s dreams is the market value of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez. Manchester City has two of the best strikers in the world currently, and they are very aware of it.

Alvarez was acquired for approximately $24 million and now holds a market value of $90 million. In contrast, Borussia Dortmund sold Haaland to the Citizens for $60 million, and his value has skyrocketed by an additional $120 million since his arrival in 2022.

Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham emerged victorious. But unlike many other stars, Messi didn’t pick him in first place. Instead, the Argentine superstar first vote went for Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich.

Messi’s next choice was former Barcelona teammate Pedri, with Bellingham in third place. The English midfielder had a fantastic performance at the 2022 World Cup, before leaving Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid in the summer.

While he didn’t lead Messi’s list, Bellingham was voted as the primary candidate by many other legends. Ronaldo, Kaka, Zidane, Blokhin, Van Basten, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Nedved Shevchenko, Cannavaro, Modric and Figo went for the Birmingham product.

Messi sees a great generation of young players

In his Ballon d’Or acceptance speech, Messi made it clear how highly he thinks of the younger generation that is taking the spotlight in world soccer. In an interview with L’Equipe, not only did he admit this may have been his last award, but also named which players could win it from now on.

“There may be a very beautiful rivalry in the coming years with players like Haaland, Mbappe, Vinicius and many young players competing for the Ballon d’Or. I also think that Lamine Yamal, who is still very young and now plays for Barcelona, ​​will play a prominent role and fight for it in the future too. There will certainly be others competing for it, new players that we do not know will appear, because there are always new players. And I think it will be a very beautiful era to enjoy,” he said.

Erling Haaland was the biggest rival in Messi’s pursuit for an eighth Ballon d’Or, as the Norwegian striker recorded an impressive 52 goals for Manchester City last season. Leo admitted Haaland also deserved it, claiming he will probably win it in the next few years.

Is Bellingham a future Ballon d’Or winner?

Bellingham’s fantastic start to life in Spain, with 13 goals in 14 appearances, makes one wonder how far he can go. Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, for instance, already imagines him as a Ballon d’Or winner.

“The sky is the limit for him if he keeps doing what he is doing,” Bale told Sky Sports. “I haven’t seen a lot, but he has made a great start, scoring a lot of goals which is important at a club like Madrid. He’s doing well. I hope he keeps on going and makes Britain proud.”

His recent Kopa Trophy success suggests Bellingham could challenge for the biggest individual prize in the years to come. But of course, he will face competition. Haaland, Mbappe, and Vinicius may lead the debate, but younger players such as Pedri or Gavi could also be in the mix.

The growing competitiveness between clubs, the globalization of the sport, the involvement of agents, and the infusion of money into the sport have all contributed to this. Because of this, top teams throughout the globe are increasingly prepared to spend more money on players.

Many superstarsare now among the highest-paid sportsmen in the world due to the rising demand for their services. With the sport’s continued growth in prominence and interest, it stands to reason that players’ value would climb in tandem.

What is the best starting XIwith the biggest market value in 2023?

Thibaut Courtois, who won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid last season, is now worth €60 million.In defense, Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol of Leipzig, who was a revelation at the World Cup, is joined by Premier League championRuben Dias of Manchester City and Bayern center-back Matthijs de Ligt.

Transfermarkt have placed a total value of €75 million on each of the three players at the moment.In the middle of the pitch, one can find 2022 IFFHS Men’s World’s Best Young Player, Jude Bellingham (valued at €120m), who is matched up alongside his Bayern rival, Jamal Musiala (€110m), and Pedri (€100m)of Barcelona.

Together with PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe (worth €180m)and Manchester City’s jewel Erling Haaland (€170m),the attack is fanned out by Real Madrid’s Vinicius (€120m) and Bukayo Saka (€110m) of the current Premier League table leaders, Arsenal,on the wings.

Carlo Ancelotti‘s men made their way to this stage of the Spanish Cup by beating Cacereño, Villarreal, and crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid. Now, it’s time to take on the lifelong rivals for a place in the grand final.

The Cules, on the other hand, reached the final four after leaving Intercity, Ceuda, and Real Sociedad on the way. Xavi Hernandez‘s side, however, head into the Clasico with some notable absences.

Why Pedri is not playing for Barcelona against Real Madrid

Pedri is missing Barcelona’s Copa del Rey clash against Real Madrid due to aright thigh injury. The Spain international has been on the sidelines since he was subbed off in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League knockout round.

Xavi will also have to overcome other casualties as neither Robert Lewandowski nor Ousmane Dembele are eligible for this game. Barca are currently atop LaLiga standings, but they come from a shock defeat to Almeria on the road— preceded by their Europa League elimination.