Well, it’s the news every Barcelona fan was dreading. The club officially confirmed on October 14, 2025, that star striker Robert Lewandowski will miss the massive El Clasico clash against Real Madrid on October 26. He’s suffering from a muscle tear in his left thigh, picked up on international duty, and the timing couldn’t possibly be worse.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Lewandowski has a muscle tear in the biceps femoris of his left thigh and is ruled out for El Clasico.
- The estimated recovery time is four to six weeks, potentially keeping him sidelined until November.
- The injury occurred while Lewandowski was playing for Poland in a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
- Barcelona is now dealing with an injury crisis, with around ten players unavailable, including Dani Olmo and Gavi.
- In contrast, Real Madrid expects key players like Kylian Mbappé to be fit for the October 26 match.
So, What Exactly Happened?
Here’s the thing. The injury happened while Lewandowski was playing for Poland against Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier. Even though he scored in the match, he reported discomfort afterward. And the fears were confirmed. FC Barcelona’s medical team diagnosed a muscle tear in the biceps femoris of his left thigh. That’s a nasty one.
It means no Lewandowski for El Clasico. It means no Lewandowski for a whole slate of crucial games. The club is looking at a recovery period of anywhere from four to six weeks. Yeah, a full month, maybe more. This is a massive blow, especially considering he’s already netted four goals in nine appearances this season.
Barcelona’s Injury Nightmare Deepens
Look, this isn’t just about one player. Barcelona’s medical room is overflowing right now. We’re talking about ten players on the sidelines. It’s a full-blown crisis. Midfielder Dani Olmo is another huge loss, also confirmed to miss El Clasico with a soleus muscle injury that will take two to three weeks to heal.
And the list goes on. Key figures like Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Joan Garcia are all out, leaving the squad stretched incredibly thin. Meanwhile, their rivals Real Madrid are looking much healthier. Initial scares for Kylian Mbappé and Franco Mastantuono turned out to be nothing serious, and both are expected to be ready for the showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Expert Analysis
Losing your top striker right before facing your biggest rival is a tactical disaster. Barcelona doesn’t just lose Lewandowski’s four goals; they lose his presence, his ability to hold up play, and the fear he puts into defenders. The entire offensive structure will have to change. This puts immense pressure on the remaining forwards and forces the coach into a tough spot. You can’t just replace a player like that.
Social Media Storm
As you can imagine, the internet is in meltdown. Fans are blaming the dreaded ‘FIFA virus,’ where players get injured during international breaks. The timing, right before the biggest match of the season so far, has led to a wave of frustration and worry online. Hashtags about Barca’s injury crisis are trending as supporters debate how the team can possibly cope without so many stars.
What’s Next for Barca?
So what does the schedule look like without him? Brutal. Lewandowski is set to miss La Liga matches against Girona, Elche, and Celta Vigo. But that’s not all. He’ll also be absent for crucial Champions League clashes against Olympiacos and Club Brugge.
His return is realistically pegged for sometime in November, but that depends entirely on his recovery. For now, Barcelona has to figure out a way to survive without its main goalscorer. Can they do it? Let us know what you think.