Robert Lewandowski misses the Joan Gamper Trophy due to muscle injury

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski will miss the 2025 Joan Gamper Trophy, which FC Barcelona will play against Como on Sunday, due to discomfort in the left biceps femoris muscle, as announced by the Blaugrana club on Friday.

The Barça top scorer is suffering from muscular discomfort, and the Barcelona medical staff have yet to determine the exact duration of his absence, creating uncertainty about his availability for the official start of the season.

In Lewandowski’s absence, coach Hansi Flick has two main options to fill the center-forward role: Ferran Torres and the recent star signing, Englishman Marcus Rashford, who could make his debut with the team at the Camp Nou.

Iñigo Martínez bids farewell to Barça

The Basque center-back leaves the Blaugrana club after two seasons, freeing up crucial salary space for financial fair play.

Defender Iñigo Martínez said goodbye to his FC Barcelona teammates on Friday before heading to Saudi Arabia to sign with Al-Nassr, a club in the Saudi Pro League. After two seasons with the Catalan club, Martínez closes his chapter with a new international destination.

Iñigo Martínez, key to Barça’s defense, leaves a vacancy in the 2025 squad

The center-back, who was a starter last season alongside Pau Cubarsí, had recently renewed with a special clause allowing him to leave on a free transfer if a significant offer came from Saudi football. Ultimately, Al-Nassr’s proposal was enough for the player to activate that option.

During his farewell at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Joan Laporta, FC Barcelona’s president, was present to personally bid farewell to Iñigo Martínez, acknowledging his role both on the pitch and in the dressing room, where he became a leader for younger players.

The impact of his departure on financial fair play and FC Barcelona’s transfer market

While his exit is a sporting loss, it provides financial relief. According to club sources, the defender’s departure will free up approximately 14 million euros in salary cap space, enabling Barça to progress with player registrations, such as young goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

With the Basque defender’s exit, FC Barcelona heads into the 2025 season with four natural center-backs: Ronald Araújo (the team’s new captain), Pau Cubarsí, Andreas Christensen, and Eric Garcia. The latter has been used as a right-back, a role that Jules Koundé, originally signed as a center-back, can also fulfill.