Midfielder made his return against Levante but the club should be cautious about his gametime in the coming weeks
Barcelona were happy to return to winning ways against Levante on Sunday after having lost two games in a row against Atletico Madrid and Girona.
But La Blaugrana and the Culers will have been just as happy and relieved to welcome back midfielder Pedri after his month on the sidelines.
Pedri picked up an injury against Slavia Prague in the Champions League in January, Barcelona announcing he had suffered a hamstring problem in his right leg.
The midfielder has spent his time in the treatment room and made his return to the pitch for the club in their weekend’s game against Levante, coming off the bench to replace goalscorer Marc Bernal in the 65th minute.
He has half an hour’s worth of football in the tank already, and that is exceedingly good news, but Barcelona will also be cautious about his gametime in the coming weeks given his injury record this season.
The world is a better place with Pedri pic.twitter.com/lGHdUtuwUz
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 22, 2026
Pedri is arguably Barcelona’s best player. Better than Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. More vital than goalkeeper Joan Garcia. In fact there is a case to be made that if the 22-year-old were around last week Barcelona would not have lost so brutally to both Atletico – to see them on the brink of a Copa del Rey exit – and Girona – which saw them temporarily concede top spot in the table to Real Madrid.
He has largely recovered from the series of hamstring injuries he suffered after his breakthrough season, largely playing last season injury free. But he has suffered two hamstring injuries already this season. His minutes will have to be managed.
No matter how good it is to have him for 90 minutes on the pitch, the long game is better for both the club and the player.
