Jan Oblak is not playing for Atletico Madrid against Barcelona in LaLiga Matchday 30 after being ruled out due to a muscle injury that has kept him sidelined in recent weeks, according to medical and club reports.
The Slovenian goalkeeper has been dealing with a muscle strain in his side, which also forced him to miss previous matches, and he has not fully recovered in time for this crucial soccer clash.
The setback comes at a difficult moment for Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone already forced to rotate his squad during a demanding stretch of the season. Without their long-time No. 1, the club must adjust their defensive approach.
How and when did Jan Oblak get injured?
Jan Oblak is currently sidelined for Atletico Madrid after suffering a muscle injury in his side during March 2026, which forced him to miss multiple matches including LaLiga fixtures against Getafe and Real Madrid.
Jan Oblak during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match (Source: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
According to reports from the club’s latest updates, he has been dealing with a muscular strain that required rest and a controlled recovery process. During his absence, Juan Musso has taken over as the starting goalkeeper for Diego Simeone’s side.
When could Jan Oblak return from injury?
Jan Oblak is expected to return soon for Atletico Madrid, as he has already rejoined group training and is close to full fitness, but he is not expected to feature in the immediate clash against Barcelona. His recovery has progressed well after several weeks out.
Recent reports indicate that Diego Simeone is managing his return carefully, with the goalkeeper likely to be available shortly after the Barcelona match depending on his final training sessions. The club expects him to be fully reintegrated into competition in the very near future if no setbacks occur.
How important is Jan Oblak for Atletico Madrid this season?
Jan Oblak remains a key player for Atlético Madrid in the 2025-26 season, starting as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper and playing a central role in Diego Simeone’s defensive system.
Jan Oblak gestures during a UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match (Source: Lars Baron/Getty Images)
The Slovenian has already made 26 LaLiga appearances this season, recording 10 clean sheets and 58 saves, while conceding 24 goals, underlining his continued importance between the posts.
The goalkeeper’s consistency has once again placed him among the top-performing shot-stoppers in Spain, with a save percentage close to 70% and more than 2,300 minutes played in the league campaign so far.
Despite a slight decline compared to his peak years, he still ranks among the most reliable keepers in LaLiga in terms of clean sheets and defensive stability. Beyond the numbers, his value to the club goes far deeper than statistics.
Since his joining in 2014, he has accumulated over 500 appearances and become one of the longest-serving and most influential players in the squad’s modern era, recently reaching historic milestones such as over 100 Champions League appearances and multiple Zamora awards for best goalkeeper in Spain.
