Barcelona injury update: will Pedri, João Cancelo and Iñigo Martínez play in the Spanish Super Cup?

Injured duo João Cancelo and Pedri are part of the Barcelona party that flew to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the 2024 Spanish Super Cup, which gets underway in Riyadh with a Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid on Wednesday.

Cancelo more like to feature in Riyadh than Pedri

Despite not yet being given the all-clear to play, Cancelo is close to being over a knee ligament strain and could play some part in the tournament. Pedri, meanwhile, has taken part in a few training sessions after suffering yet more muscle problems during the Christmas break. Although his chances of playing in the Middle East are slimmer, both the player himself and coach Xavi Hernández believe there is some hope of him being involved in some capacity, even if only in a potential final (on Sunday 14 January).

Martínez travels, Balde and Yamal back in contention

Defender Iñigo Mártinez, who was forced off in the Copa del Rey win over Barbastro due to a hamstring issue, has also boarded the plane but, like Cancelo and Pedri, hasn’t yet been cleared to play by the club’s medical staff. Left-back Alejandro Balde, who has recovered from a bug that stopped him from playing in the cup tie, and 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal, who was suspended, are back in contention.

Ter Stegen and Gavi stay at home

However, first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is still recovering from back surgery, and midfield starlet Gavi, who suffered an ACL tear in November, have been left at home.

Xavi has called up 25 players, including teenager striker Marc Guiu, who hasn’t featured in recent squads. Fellow youth-team players Ander Astralaga, Héctor Fort, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Casadó and Diego Kochen have also made the trip.

Possible Barcelona’s line-up to play Osasuna

For Thursday’s semi-final against Osasuna, the Barcelona line-up is likely to be as follows:

Peña; Koundé, Araújo, Christensen, Balde; Gündogan, De Jong, Sergi Roberto; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ferran Torres.

João Félix looks set to drop down to the bench alongside Vitor Roque, who will have to wait to make his first start for the club. Fermín López, who performed well as a substitute against Barbastro, could force his way into the starting line-up at the expense of Sergi Roberto depending on whether Xavi prefers youth or experience in midfield.

When is Barcelona - Osasuna in the Spanish Super Cup?

Barça are due to land in Riyadh later on Tuesday and will be based at the JW Marriott hotel in the Saudi Arabian city. Following a press conference, Xavi’s side will train at Prince Faisal Stadium on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s last-four clash against Osasuna, which will kick off at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT).