Pedri of FC Barcelona
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
FC Barcelona have issued an official statement announcing that key midfielder Pedri will be unavailable to face Villarreal on Sunday due to muscle discomfort.
While Hansi Flick had already confirmed that the superstar will not be making the trip to Estadio de La Ceramica, Barça have issued an official release, confirming that Pedri’s discomfort is only mild and his absence is only a precaution.
Furthermore, the club also affirm that he will be back for the next game vs Espanyol on 3 January.
“First team player Pedri will sit out the match against Villarreal CF as a precaution due to mild muscle discomfort. The player is expected to be available for the next match against RCD Espanyol,” the statement read.
𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗢 𝗠𝗘́𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗢
El jugador del primer equipo 𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗻𝘇𝗮́𝗹𝗲𝘇, 𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗶, es baja para el partido contra el Villarreal CF por precaución, debido a unas leves molestias musculares.
Se espera que el jugador esté disponible para el próximo partido… pic.twitter.com/F1GL2UgIgq
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) December 20, 2025
By issuing the statement, Barcelona have quashed speculations that there were growing concerns within the club about Pedri’s fitness.
Indeed, just a while back, it was reported that there was a fear that Pedri’s discomfort might have something to do with his previous hamstring injury and that there was a possibility of him missing the Espanyol clash.
However, Barcelona have dispelled those speculations, insisting that Pedri’s issue is only mild and he will be ready for the Catalan derby after the Christmas break.