FC Barcelona has kicked off their preseason training for the upcoming 2026-27 La Liga season. Notable absentees from the training camp include players like Lamine Yamal, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Jules Kounde, who are still involved in the FIFA World Cup and are entitled to a three-week break post-tournament.
The team commenced their training with medical check-ups at 9 a.m. local time, with new signing Hamza Abdelkarim joining despite having only a week’s rest after representing Egypt in the World Cup. Coach Hansi Flick oversaw the session, which also saw uncertain players like winger Roony Bardghji in attendance.
Midfielder Marc Casado, whose future at the club is uncertain, reported for training, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen returned after an injury disrupted his loan spell at Girona in January. There are speculations about Ter Stegen’s potential move to Ajax.
Barcelona is actively seeking to bolster their squad with a winger and a forward, with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez emerging as their primary target. Club President Joan Laporta confirmed making an offer for Alvarez, expressing the player’s desire to join Barcelona since his time at Manchester City.
Alvarez, aged 26, publicly expressed his interest in moving to Barcelona during the World Cup, prompting a strong reaction from Atletico Madrid, who threatened to report Barcelona to FIFA for what they perceive as an improper approach to a player under contract until June 2030, with a release clause of 500 million euros.
