Roony Bardghji
February 2026
Bardghji is struggling for game time at Barcelona, featuring sparingly despite the club’s congested fixture list across domestic and European competitions. He has played only five of Barcelona’s 12 matches this year, logging roughly 160 minutes from a possible 500. Cameos have been brief, often around ten minutes, continuing a season-long pattern where he has periodically dropped out of the rotation entirely.
Hansi Flick
February 2026
Senior players raised concerns that the aggressive high line was wrong for the game conditions and personnel available, asking for more pragmatism in high-stakes matches. A training-ground review followed the loss, with Flick questioning intensity while players flagged tactical risk without key injured creators. They are not pushing to abandon the system, but want clearer adaptation based on opponent, match state, and who is fit.
Robert Lewandowski
January 2026
Robert Lewandowski scored against Real Mallorca to extend a rare streak of 10-plus league goals across 15 consecutive seasons in Europe’s top five leagues, matching Lionel Messi’s run and placing him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in a three-man modern-era club. With minutes managed and his contract nearing a decision point, Lewandowski still delivered a clinical opener from close range after the ball dropped to him in the box. The 15-season sequence began in 2011-12 at Dortmund and continued through Bayern to Barca.
Deco
January 2026
Victor Font says he will remove sporting director Deco if he wins Barcelona’s presidential election, while keeping Hansi Flick as coach. The warning raises tensions as the club heads into elections with Joan Laporta seeking re-election. Font outlined his plan publicly ahead of next month’s vote, where Laporta, Font, Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana and Joan Camprubí are running. Laporta argues the club has recovered since 2021 and cites pressure around registering players and external criticism.
Hansi Flick
January 2026
Barcelona won 3-1 but Flick criticised wasteful finishing, saying the performance should have produced more goals. Barcelona generated heavy shot volume and high expected goals, went ahead via Yamal, were pegged back, then regained control through Torres and a late Rashford goal; Flick praised overall play but singled out the final actions in attack.
Michael Carrick
January 2026
Reports claim Carrick would be open to bringing Rashford back if appointed permanently, despite Rashford stating he wants to stay at Barcelona. Rashford has nine goals and nine assists in 31 appearances and says his aim is to remain at Barca, but the club’s ability to activate a reported £26m option is uncertain; Carrick’s stance contrasts with Ruben Amorim, who reportedly did not want Rashford at United.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
January 2026
Ter Stegen is reportedly set for a half-season loan to Girona after losing Barcelona’s starting role to Garcia and slipping to third-choice status under Flick. A serious knee injury derailed his captaincy season, Flick publicly backed Garcia as the clear number one, and Ter Stegen rejected West Ham interest while a La Liga loan now looks the route to regular football and a reset.
Hansi Flick
January 2026
Flick indicated frustration with people influencing Fernandez after reports the 18-year-old is forcing an exit by paying his release clause, with PSG positioned to secure him on a long-term deal. Fernandez wants more first-team minutes and is reportedly activating a low clause to leave, while Flick avoided full comment until finalised but stressed coaches give confidence and suggested outside voices can push players toward decisions the club does not agree with.
Marcus Rashford
January 2026
Barcelona want Rashford to stay but do not want to trigger the £26m (€30m) buy option, instead seeking a lower fee or a second loan for 2026-27 with a mandatory purchase clause. Barca cite financial constraints; Rashford has delivered 7 goals and 8 assists in 27 games and won the Supercopa after a 3-2 win over Real Madrid, strengthening Barca’s desire to retain him while United prefer a permanent sale.
Marcus Rashford
January 2026
