Barcelona’s tactical engine has hit a major snag. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the club officially confirmed that Pedri will be out of action for approximately one month after sustaining a muscular injury in his right hamstring during the Champions League victory over Slavia Prague.
The 23-year-old was forced off in the 61st minute of Wednesday night's 4–2 win, leaving Hansi Flick to navigate a critical stretch of the season without his most influential playmaker.
The Official Diagnosis
Following medical tests at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Barcelona released a statement confirming the extent of the damage:
"Tests taken this morning have confirmed that first-team player Pedri has a muscular injury in the biceps femoris of his right hamstring. The expected recovery time will be one month."
This is a recurring nightmare for the Canary Islander, who missed five games in October with a similar ailment and a match in December due to a calf complaint. Despite these setbacks, Pedri has been a pillar for Flick this season, racking up 25 appearances with two goals and eight assists.
Who Steps Up? The Replacement Options
With Gavi and Andreas Christensen still on the long-term injury list, Hansi Flick will likely look to the following trio to fill the "Pedri-sized" hole:
Dani Olmo: The most natural successor. He replaced Pedri in Prague and is the favorite to take over the creative duties.
Fermin Lopez: Fresh off a brace against Slavia Prague, the 22-year-old is in sensational form and offers more goal threat than control.
Marc Casadó: If Flick opts for more defensive stability, Casadó will likely slot in alongside De Jong (in La Liga) or Eric García.
The Verdict: While Barcelona have proven they can score without Pedri, they often struggle to control games in his absence. With a top-eight Champions League spot on the line next week, Flick's "Plan B" needs to be flawless.