Barcelona will be without Xavi Espart for around seven weeks after the young defender suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Real Madrid.
The 19-year-old was forced off during the first half of the clásico at the Spotify Camp Nou and was replaced by Alejandro Balde. Tests carried out on Monday confirmed an injury to the syndesmosis joint in his right ankle, which Barcelona said was caused by a collision with an opposing player.
Espart’s absence piles onto the worries of Hansi Flick, who was already without Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia for the defeat by Madrid. The Barcelona manager now has only Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin and Joao Cancelo available among his first-team defenders.
Christensen and Kounde are the closest to returning, but it remains uncertain whether either will be fit for Sunday’s La Liga match against Alaves.
MEDICAL REPORT
Tests carried out have confirmed that Xavi Espart is suffering from an injury to the syndesmosis joint in his right ankle due to a collision with an opposing player in the game against Real Madrid.
The player will be out for around seven weeks.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 26, 2026
Espart had become an important option for Flick in recent weeks after being moved from midfield into defence. He began the season at left-back before switching to the right following injuries to Kounde and Garcia.
The teenager played in Barcelona’s losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid over the past week, but will now face a lengthy spell out of the team.
His injury is another setback for a side whose form has dipped after an impressive start to the campaign. Sunday’s defeat ended Barcelona’s run of nine consecutive La Liga victories and was their first loss in the league this season.
They had also suffered their first defeat in the Champions League last Tuesday, when PSG beat them 4-2.
Pau Cubarsí: “A tough week, but we can’t let our heads down. Now it’s time to come back even stronger. There is still a long way to go in the season and we need you, culers.” https://t.co/4fwtpQ8COY
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 26, 2026
Flick must now find a way to manage his remaining defensive options as Barcelona attempt to recover from two defeats in the space of a week. The club will hope to have some of their injured players back soon, but Espart will remain on the sidelines until close to the end of the year.
The defender is part of Barcelona’s 2007 generation, which also includes Cubarsi, Lamine Yamal and Marc Bernal. His performances this season had marked a breakthrough in senior football, with two goals and two assists in nine appearances across all competitions.
