Barcelona star gets injured on international duty; leaves national team squad
Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde has picked up an adductor issue while on national duty with Spain. He started La Roja's recent 2-0 victory over Scotland but was taken off at half-time for Real Madrid's Fran Garcia.
He has been subsequently released from the national team and will presumably return to Barcelona to begin rehabilitation. Spain released a statement on the young defender's injury, with Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams also joining him on the injury table.
The statement read (via Barca Blaugranes):
“Nico Williams and Alejandro Balde have been called off due to physical problems after Spain’s victory against Scotland (2-0), a victory that brings the national team level on points at the top of Group A.
“Williams has had a strain in his intercostal muscles since last Tuesday, while Balde suffers discomfort in his adductors.”
La Roja won the 2024 UEFA Euro qualifiers encounter against Scotland 2-0. Alvaro Morata opened the scoring in the 73rd minute before Oihan Sancet doubled their advantage in the 86th.
Spain will face Norway next in the 2024 UEFA Euro qualifiers on Sunday, October 15 before players return to their respective clubs.
Alejandro Balde signed new contract with Barcelona in September 2023
Barcelona recently tied down left-back Alejandro Balde to a longer contract that would see him stay put at the club until 2028. The 19-year-old defender has been with the club since 2010 when he was just six years of age.
He has since risen through the ranks at La Masia and now sealed a first-team spot. Balde made his first-team debut in the 2020/21 season and has made 61 senior appearances for Barcelona so far across competitions, scoring once and assisting eight goals.
Notably, his buy-out clause has been set at €1 billion.
“FC Barcelona and the player Alejandro Balde have reached an agreement for a new contract which will take the player through to 30 June 2028. The buy-out clause is set at 1 billion euros,” an official statement from the club read.
There is little clarity over the extent of Balde's injury currently but expect manager Xavi or the club to make a statement on it soon.