Barcelona have confirmed the news they feared: Pedri will be out for around one month after suffering a right hamstring injury during Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League. The 23-year-old Spain international came off in the 61st minute and did not return. Tests the following morning revealed a muscular problem that will keep him sidelined until the end of February.

In a brief medical note, the club stated: “Tests taken this morning have confirmed that first team player Pedri has a muscular injury in his right hamstring. The recovery time will be one month.” Head coach Hansi Flick had already hinted at the concern right after the game: “I don’t know exactly how he is but it’s a hamstring problem. We will have to wait until tomorrow to see how he goes but it’s not good news.”

Pedri injury update: what happened against Slavia Prague

Barcelona’s 4-2 win came with a cost. Pedri signaled discomfort early in the second half and was withdrawn in the 61st minute as a precaution. Less than 24 hours later, scans confirmed the worry: another hamstring issue, this time in his right leg.

The timing is painful for Barça. They are top of La Liga by a single point over Real Madrid, where every week feels like a final. In Europe, Barcelona sit ninth in the new Champions League league phase, level on points with teams above them, which means the margins are razor thin ahead of their next continental game.

“Another month without Pedri — can Barça keep control in the big moments?”

How long is Pedri out and which games could he miss?

Barcelona say the recovery time is one month. In practical terms, that means 5–7 matches on the sidelines, depending on how the calendar and his recovery line up. On the current slate, Pedri is set to miss:

• Champions League: Copenhagen
• La Liga: Real Oviedo, Elche, Girona, Mallorca
• Copa del Rey: Albacete

Complicating matters, Frenkie de Jong is suspended for the Copenhagen tie, taking another key midfielder out of the European picture. Flick must find a balance in the middle without two of his top ball progressors for that night.

Why this matters for Barcelona’s season

Because Pedri is the tempo-setter. He knits moves together, keeps the ball moving, and finds teammates in tight windows. When games get wild, he brings calm. In high-stakes matches, that quality is priceless.

In La Liga, the table is tight at the top. A one-point lead over Real Madrid can vanish with a single poor weekend. In the Champions League, the new league-phase format rewards consistency, and Barcelona’s ninth-place standing means there is little room for slip-ups if they want the best seeding for the knockout rounds.

“This is where depth and Flick’s rotations either prove real or get exposed.”

Pedri’s season so far: output and workload

Pedri has already logged heavy minutes this season: 25 appearances across competitions with 2 goals and 8 assists. Those numbers show his blend of craft and end product. He is not simply a passer; he helps build, and he helps finish.

But the red flag is clear: he missed five games earlier in the campaign with a hamstring issue and another with a calf problem. Add this latest setback, and the picture is of a player whose muscle health needs careful, week-to-week management. For a 23-year-old with so much responsibility, load control is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

What Hansi Flick can adjust without Pedri

Without stepping outside the facts, the big picture is simple. Flick must replace Pedri’s control and creativity through structure. That can mean slower build-ups when needed, clearer roles between the lines, and extra protection out of possession so the midfield can stay compact. With de Jong suspended for Copenhagen, ball retention becomes the core game plan for that night: fewer transitions, more patience, and strong set-piece focus.

In La Liga, where opponents often sit deep, Barcelona will need crisp passing and smart movement to create space. The coaching staff will want to spread the creative load so no single player is forced into risky minutes. It’s about helping the unit keep the ball, pick the right moments, and avoid the chaotic exchanges that wear legs down.

“Protect Pedri now, or risk losing him when it matters most.”

Medical note: the one-month hamstring timeline

Barcelona’s statement points to a one-month recovery window. For a muscular hamstring injury, that suggests a moderate strain. The key steps will be rest, controlled rehab, then a return to team sessions when he can sprint and change direction without pain or tightness.

There is a bigger lesson here for the months ahead: timelines are guides, not targets. If Pedri feels any setback, the club should resist the urge to rush. A careful return by late February is far better than a quick comeback that risks another stoppage in March or April.

Quotes from the club and coach

The official update from Barcelona read: “Tests taken this morning have confirmed that first team player Pedri has a muscular injury in his right hamstring. The recovery time will be one month.”

Hansi Flick’s post-match comments reflected the early worry: “I don’t know exactly how he is but it’s a hamstring problem. We will have to wait until tomorrow to see how he goes but it’s not good news.” He added, “I don’t know how long he will be out. It’s not good news. We will see [on Thursday].” The tests have now given the answer, and the focus turns to recovery.

The road ahead

Barcelona’s goals this season haven’t changed. They want to stay top in La Liga and go deep in Europe. That requires handling the next month with care and control. The squad must share the creative burden, keep the ball more often, and cut out needless sprints and chases that drain energy.

For Pedri, the mission is simple: heal well, come back once, and stay back. For the team, it’s a test of calm under pressure. If Barcelona manage the details now, they can keep their lead at home, improve their Champions League position, and welcome back their midfield heartbeat when it truly counts.

One month is a long time when you are chasing titles. It’s also short enough to treat wisely. Barcelona know the stakes. The best result they can get over these next weeks is not just wins on the board, but a fully fit Pedri ready for the spring run-in.