Barcelona midfielder Pedri is reportedly facing being absent for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign and also this summer's European Championship.
Pedri was in tears when he was forced off the field in the latter stages of the first half against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, with the Spain international suffering a hamstring problem.
There had initially been suggestions that the midfielder would be out for between five and six weeks, but according to Bar Canaletes, Barcelona are not expecting to have the 21-year-old available for the rest of the season, and he is also set to miss out on representing Spain at Euro 2024.
The report claims that the Catalan outfit are attempting to convince Pedri to undergo an operation, as it would prove to be the best option for his long-term fitness.
The midfielder has struggled with a number of hamstring issues during his time at Barcelona, with his longest absence coming between September 2021 and January 2022.
© Reuters
Pedri has been restricted to just 24 appearances this season, meanwhile, having missed a chunk of action in the first half of the campaign due to a hamstring problem.
The Spaniard made the move to Barcelona from Las Palmas in July 2020, and he has represented the club on 133 occasions, scoring 18 goals and registering 12 assists in the process.
Pedri's unavailability will be a huge blow for Barcelona and their ambitions for the rest of the season, while he would also be a major absentee for Spain at this summer's tournament.
Barcelona boss Xavi told reporters after the clash with Athletic: "He had trained very well this week, he was at a very high level and it is a shame. He was very well physically and he has done everything to recover, to be well.
© Reuters
"We have taken care of everything, all the details, and this has happened again, but these are football situations and he will come back stronger."
Frenkie de Jong also suffered an ankle injury during the same match and is facing a lengthy spell out.
"It is unfortunate due to the injuries of two very important footballers. Between today and tomorrow [he spoke after the game] we will know more things but it doesn't look good and I suppose the team has also been affected by those injuries," Xavi added.
"They are both affected, we are sad for everything that happened but especially for those two absences that I imagine will be for matches. Sad, today is a sad day."
Gavi and Alejandro Balde are also long-term absentees for Barcelona, with the pair set to miss the rest of the season with knee and hamstring injuries respectively.
Matt Law
