Why is Robert Lewandowski not playing for Barcelona today against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal?
The Polish striker was ruled out of the second leg as Barcelona look to keep their cup run alive.


Barcelona will look to keep their Copa del Rey defence alive at Camp Nou as they try to overturn a first leg disaster in Madrid, where they lost 4-0 to Atlético Madrid.
And they will have to do so without their high-profile striker, Robert Lewandowski, who has not been included in Hansi Flick’s matchday squad due to injury.
The Polish forward is currently recovering from an eye socket injury that he sustained in the recent 4-1 LaLiga win over Villarreal. The player was taken off in the 67th minute and a medical examination subsequently revealed that he had suffered a fracture.
27 – Robert Lewandowski's goal for FC Barcelona against Villarreal was scored at the end of a 27-pass sequence; the most in the build-up to a LaLiga 2025/26 goal. Construction. pic.twitter.com/eKadDLCQol
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 2, 2026
In a short statement from the Catalan club, it was revealed that he will miss the Atlético Madrid semifinal game, but no update has been given as to how long he will remain on the sidelines.
Barcelona are fighting for their lives in the Copa del Rey after being flash-banged against a surprisingly incisive Atlético Madrid in the first leg, who scored all four goals of their rout in the first half, exposing Barcelona’s high defensive line and getting in behind on multiple occasions.
Now they will have to attack Atlético, with just 90 minutes left to save their defence of the title they won last season after beating Real Madrid in the final in Seville.
Added to the Catalan injury list are De Jong, Gavi, and Christensen. Eric García, who is suspended, will also miss out.
This Lewandowski touch 🤤 pic.twitter.com/WFpiS31obI
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) January 23, 2026
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