FC Barcelona decided to keep Pedri in their squad for the Spanish Super Cup despite the midfielder being on the sidelines due to a muscle injury, reported Spanish news outlet AS on Sunday.
Pedri has had a difficult year as he spent most of it outside the field due to a constant struggle with injuries. He was ruled out for 1.5 months after suffering a minor muscle injury earlier this month.
The club hoped to have the key midfielder back for the first league match of 2024 against Las Palmas but that is no longer possible as the 21-year-old has not yet recovered completely from the injury.
Barcelona intend to keep Pedri in the squad for the Spanish Super Cup, when the Blaugrana take on Osasuna on January 11 in Riyadh.
Even though the midfielder hasn’t been declared fit by the club’s medical staff yet, he may be fit to play the final should Barcelona qualify for it.
Pedri suffered a minor muscle injury but it was at the same place, right thigh, that kept him out for at least three seasons earlier this season. That is why the club does not want to rush the midfielder, as he is one of the most important players for Xavi.
Earlier, it was reported that Barcelona’s defender Marcos Alonso had been ruled out for three after facing a back problem.
Alonso's absence would likely encompass much of their Copa del Rey campaign, the Spanish Super Cup and at least the initial leg of their Champions League encounter with Napoli.
Despite Alonso's limited playtime of fewer than 300 minutes this season and his recent month-long absence due to the recurring back issue, Xavi finds himself with Alejandro Balde as the sole natural choice at left-back and Joao Cancelo at right-back.
While others like Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde, and Ronald Araujo had filled in at right-back, the frequent reliance on Cancelo and Balde is poised to impact their form and increase the risk of injury.
It appeared that this season will mark Alonso's final tenure at the club, with Atletico Madrid expressing a keen interest in acquiring his services.