Bad news for Hansi Flick: Barcelona loses Xavi Espart

FC Barcelona announced on Monday in an official statement that full‑back Xavi Espart (19) sustained a syndesmosis injury to his right ankle during the El Clasico on Sunday evening against Real Madrid (1‑2) and is expected to be out for up to seven weeks, i.e. until mid‑December, for the Blaugrana.

Injury and immediate consequences

The club's official communications confirmed that Espart had to leave the pitch after roughly half an hour. Following a duel with Real midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni he suffered a syndesmosis of the right ankle.

Coach Hansi Flick then had to bring on Alejandro Balde for the young Spaniard. The substitute could not turn the game around, and Barcelona lost 1‑2.

The injury hits the Blaugrana at an inopportune moment, as Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen and Eric García are already out with various injuries. This considerably reduces the pool of centre‑backs.

Impact on the Blaugrana

In the current 2026/27 season, Espart has already made nine league appearances. He contributed four goal involvements – two goals and two assists – and has been deployed both on the right and left side of defence.

The medical assessment predicts an absence of up to seven weeks. The remaining time until his return is calculated tightly; in the best case Espart could be available again for the Blaugrana by mid‑December, in the worst scenario not until January.

Due to the lengthy recovery period, Espart will miss the league matches against Aston Villa, Atlético Madrid, Villarreal and Manchester City. These fixtures are crucial for Barcelona in the battle for the top of the table.

Following the injury, João Cancelo shifted from the left to the right flank to fill the gap. At the same time, Dani Olmo remains unavailable for away matches and Roony Bardghji is also not fit for selection, while Frenkie de Jong returns to the squad after almost four months.