When will Rodri make his Barcelona debut?
The midfielder has started training with the team.
Barcelona’s purchase of Rodri from Manchester City stands as one of the biggest deals of the summer transfer window, and fans are wondering when they will see the Ballon d’Or holder in the Blaugrana colours.
Spanish publication “Sport” reported that Rodri finished his first full practice with the Blaugrana, marking the first official step toward a Barcelona debut. This puts the Spanish midfielder one step closer to playing in the LaLiga match against Athletic Bilbao on August 27.
While the players who played more minutes against Elche adhered to their customary post-match recuperation, Rodri worked with the group that conducted the more rigorous workout.
Rodri, who arrived a week ago from City, was formally introduced to the team last Tuesday. Despite not being prepared to play, he had his first interaction with the team during the Joan Gamper Cup match.
Since then, he has adhered to a unique rehabilitation regimen to regain his fitness following his vacation. He was not included in the squad for the first game against Elche, even though he was the team’s first player registered with the Liga association.
There were other surprises on the training pitch besides Rodri. Left-back Alejandro Balde, who has been linked to an exit from the Camp Nou, resumed regular training with his colleagues following his unexpected exclusion from the matchday squad against Elche.
Also Read: Jose Mourinho reveals why Rodri joined Barcelona over Real Madrid
Rodri joins group training ahead of potential Barcelona debut
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For the first time since joining Barcelona from Manchester City earlier this week, Rodri has participated in team training.
After arriving late to Barcelona’s team, the Spanish captain had worked alone for the past week. After participating in the World Cup and undergoing a minor back operation, his integration was delayed.
The next step in the midfielder’s return to regular team activities is his first group training session. Since completing his transfer from Manchester City, he has only been able to train alone until Monday.
When will Rodri debut for Barcelona?
He is expected to make his debut in the LaLiga clash against Athletic Club on August 27.
Is Rodri injured?
No, he is not injured. He had been following an individual training program after a minor back surgery and post‑World Cup recovery, but is now fully integrated with the squad.
When will Barcelona face Athletic Club?
The match is on Thursday, August 27, 2026. In India, the match will kick off at 12:30 AM IST on August 28.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.