Will Pedri’s injury expose Barcelona, Spain’s dependency?

Pedri’s injury absence could hardly have come at a worse time for Barcelona or Spain. However, for everyone who’s been arguing that Barça and the reigning European champions are far too dependent on their little midfield genius, it’s come at the perfect time to test the contenders to his throne. It’s also a great moment to examine how coaches Hansi Flick and Luis De La Fuente try to cope in the coming weeks while Pedri recovers from a thigh injury.Here are the stark facts: Barcelona are five points behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid and outside the Champions League top eight — which means they’d have to enter the playoff round if they are still there at the end of the league phase — but need to play Celta Vigo, Real Betis, Club Brugge and FIFA Club World Cup champions Chelsea away from home without their best player this season. In fact, he’s arguably been Europe’s best midfielder this season.Spain, for whom Pedri has been man of the match in each of their last two wins, need good results away against Georgia and at home to Turkey to ensure they win Group E and qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A draw (or defeat) in Tbilisi with Turkey winning their last two fixtures, including against Spain in Seville later this month, would leave La Roja second in the group and needing to sweat it next March against other runners-up.Unlikely? Yes, but more likely without Pedri.- Yamal paid Clásico price for outburst, but others let him down – Barça’s Yamal the youngest named to FIFPRO World XI – Flick asks Rashford to make more from chancesIf you’ve been watching the darting, daring, delightful Canary Islander who turns 23 in a couple of weeks, then you’ll already be nodding in agreement. He’s a special footballer; a problem-solver, an unpicker of midfields. The ball loves him so much, it seeks him out. Pedri is a man of solutions, a player tailor-made to complement forwards who crave being given the ball in advantageous situations. He’s a cool drink in the desert.Those who care about Barcelona will wince at the memory of Xavi’s last season in charge, and how they tried defending their LaLiga title without Pedri. The midfielder had three long injury absences during the 2023-24 season, costing him 131 days and 25 matches for club and country. Barcelona lost both Clásicos that year — one when he was out injured and the other when he was just back but nowhere near fully match-fit.Watch your favorite events in the newly enhanced ESPN App. Learn more about what plan is right for you. Sign Up Now