Lewandowski Out Of El Clásico! Barcelona Hit Hard By Hamstring Injury Blow

Last Updated:October 14, 2025, 17:37 IST

Barcelona face El Clásico without Robert Lewandowski due to a hamstring injury. Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal may step up as Hansi Flick manages key absences against Real Madrid.

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski (AP)

Barcelona have suffered a major setback ahead of the season’s first El Clásico, with striker Robert Lewandowski ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury while on international duty.

The 37-year-old forward limped off during Poland’s 2-0 win over Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday. Following scans, Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that Lewandowski has suffered “a muscle tear in the biceps femoris of his left thigh."

According to reports in Spanish media, the veteran striker is expected to miss four to six weeks, ruling him out of a crucial run of fixtures for the Catalan champions.

Key matches Lewandowski will miss

Lewandowski’s absence means he will miss the October 26 Clásico against La Liga leaders Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, a fixture that could define Barcelona’s domestic campaign.

He will also sit out Champions League clashes against Olympiakos and Club Brugge, and is in doubt for the league games against Celta Vigo and Girona.

His injury compounds a growing list of absentees for coach Hansi Flick, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia and playmaker Dani Olmo also expected to miss the Clásico due to fitness issues.

There is, however, a glimmer of good news: teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has returned to training after recovering from a groin injury, offering Flick an attacking option on the right wing.

Barça’s mixed start under Flick

The injury comes at a difficult moment for Barcelona, who have endured an inconsistent start to the season under new head coach Hansi Flick.

The Catalans currently sit third in La Liga, five points behind Real Madrid, after a string of frustrating draws and narrow wins. Lewandowski, who has scored six goals in all competitions, remains their joint-top scorer this season — highlighting the scale of his absence.

Torres and Yamal could step up

With Lewandowski sidelined, Ferran Torres may once again lead the line. The Spanish forward was released from the national team camp earlier this week due to muscle discomfort, but Barcelona have since confirmed that he has not suffered a significant injury.

Torres has featured regularly as a central striker this season, often rotating with Lewandowski as Flick looks to balance freshness and form in a packed schedule.

“Losing Robert is a blow," one source close to the club told Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, “but this team has shown it can adapt — especially with young players like Yamal stepping up."

What’s next

Barcelona will now look to manage their attacking options carefully as they prepare for the trip to the Bernabéu, where Real Madrid — led by Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham — sit in commanding form at the top of the table.

(with AFP inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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