Barcelona will be without defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde for their Champions League last-16 tie against Newcastle United after both were diagnosed with hamstring injuries on Wednesday.
The duo sustained the injuries during Barca’s 3-0 Copa del Rey semi-final win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, though the Catalans were eliminated 4-3 on aggregate.
Barcelona confirmed that Balde’s recovery process is expected to last four weeks, while Kounde is likely to be sidelined for a similar period, according to Spanish media reports.
The absences mean both players will also miss upcoming La Liga fixtures against Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano. Barcelona’s midfielder Frenkie de Jong remains sidelined with a similar hamstring injury.
Kounde’s injury puts his participation in France’s friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the United States at the end of March in doubt ahead of the 2026 World Cup, while Balde, a Spain international, has been behind Marc Cucurella and Alex Grimaldo in the national team pecking order.