Barcelona took a heavy blow. Robert Lewandowski suffered a muscle tear in his left hamstring and joined an injury list that’s already too long for such a crucial point in the season. The forward felt discomfort while on international duty with Poland, and after tests on Tuesday, the injury was confirmed. The club didn’t announce an exact recovery timeline, but Spanish media reports say he’ll be out for at least a month.
A setback that shakes the team
If the recovery estimate is accurate, Lewandowski will likely miss matches against Girona, Olympiacos, Real Madrid, Elche, Club Brugge and Celta. Beyond the number of games, it’s the weight of them that’s alarming. The team sits outside the direct qualification zone for the Champions League round of 16 and faces two crucial fixtures that could shape its campaign. In La Liga, the clásico against Real could directly impact the title race.
Lewandowski had just delivered a solid performance with Poland, scoring in the World Cup qualifiers, and seemed fully recovered from a lighter muscle issue that sidelined him less than two months ago. Now, with this new injury, the absence will be longer. His value isn’t just in goals. He’s the reference point up front, the player who pins defenders, creates space and sets the tone for the attack.
The squad was already dealing with key injuries. Marc-André ter Stegen, Joan García, Raphinha and Dani Olmo are all in the medical room. Olmo is unlikely to feature in the clásico or in the upcoming Champions League games. That shortens the coach’s options and forces him to look for answers within the squad, relying on young players or changing the team’s shape.
Pressure mounting at a decisive moment
The problem isn’t just the injuries but their timing. Barcelona is entering a stretch that could define a large part of its season. Big matches, travel, pressure for results and almost no room for error.
The most optimistic scenario points to Lewandowski’s return after the next international break in November. A lot can happen by then. Slipping up in the Champions League could hurt their chances of advancing, and a poor result in the clásico could be costly in the league standings. October and November could end up defining how far this team can actually go.