Barcelona will be without defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde for the Champions League last-16 tie against Newcastle after they were diagnosed with a hamstring injury on Wednesday.
Both players were knocked off injured during Barcelona’s 3-0 Copa del Rey semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, with the Catalans losing 4-3 on aggregate.
“The time of the recovery process (for Balde) will be four weeks,” Barcelona said in a statement, without specifying how long Kounde will miss.
Spanish media reported that 27-year-old French international Kounde is likely to be sidelined for a similar length of time.
Alejandro Balde is a Spain international, but was behind Marc Cucurella and Alex Grimaldo in coach Luis de la Fuente’s pecking order. | Photo credit: Getty Images
Alejandro Balde is a Spain international, but was behind Marc Cucurella and Alex Grimaldo in coach Luis de la Fuente’s pecking order. | Photo credit: Getty Images
In addition to the Champions League matches, the duo will also miss La Liga matches against Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano.
Barcelona is also currently without midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who also has a hamstring injury.
The injury makes Kounde doubtful for France’s friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the United States at the end of March, ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
Balde is a Spain international, but was behind Marc Cucurella and Alex Grimaldo in coach Luis de la Fuente’s pecking order.
Published on March 4, 2026
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