Despite the constant drama within the club, Hansi Flick has positioned Barcelona as a legitimate league and European title contender through the first half of the 2025/26 campaign.
As the calendar turned to the new year, Barcelona sat four points clear at the top of the La Liga standings, and while they were back in 15th in the Champions League, they are just two points off the top eight which comes with a valuable playoff round bye.
Part of his early success has been down to squad fitness, something Barcelona has struggled with over recent seasons. Largely, the Catalan club has enjoyed a strong bill of health, albeit with a few lingering concerns.
AllSportsPeople details how Barcelona fare from an injury perspective as they jaunt through the early part of 2026.
MORE: An updated look at the 2025/26 La Liga top goal scorers list
Barcelona injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Real Madrid, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Gavi
- Injury: Meniscus damage (right knee)
- Expected return date: February
Gavi suffered damage to his right knee during an August training session. The midfielder avoided an ACL tear but required surgery to repair the meniscus. He's expected to face five months on the sidelines.
Andreas Christensen
- Injury: Partial ACL tear (left knee)
- Expected return date: April
The Denmark international picked up a serious knee injury during a training session before a match against Villarreal in late December. While he does not need surgery, it will take some time before he will return. The expectation is that he will be sidelined for four months to recover.
Ronald Araujo
- Unavailable: Mental health break
- Expected return date: Unknown
Following a red card in the Champions League against Chelsea in December, Ronaldo Araujo requested a mental health break and was granted leave.
The Uruguayan took a trip to Israel for a spiritual pilgrimage, and is now back in training but not yet ready to return to the field. After a five-week absence away from football, he likely needs to regain his full match fitness before he is ready to return. He should be back soon but no timeline has been given.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs. Espanyol
Formation: 4-2-3-1
J. Garcia (GK)
Kounde, Cubarsi, G. Martin, Balde
E. Garcia, Pedri
Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha
Lewandowski
Barcelona fixture schedule: Next five games
Barcelona will pause La Liga play briefly in January to contest the Supercopa de Espana out in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Catalan giants are matched up against last year's fourth-placed finishers in La Liga, Athletic Club, in the semifinals. A victory in that game will see them play either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the final, but defeat would see them sent home early.
- Espanyol vs. Barcelona | La Liga | Saturday, January 3
- Barcelona vs. Athletic Club | Supercopa de Espana* | Wednesday, January 7
- Barcelona vs. Real Madrid/Atletico Madrid** | Supercopa de Espana* | Saturday, January 11
- Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona | La Liga | Sunday, January 18
- Slavia Prague vs. Barcelona | Champions League | Wednesday, January 21
- Barcelona vs. Real Oviedo | La Liga | Sunday, January 25
* In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
** If necessary
* In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
** If necessary