Five games, zero minutes – Barcelona youngster finds himself in limbo at club after refusing summer exit

Five games, zero minutes – Barcelona youngster finds himself in limbo at club after refusing summer exit Alejandro Balde is going through a difficult spell at FC Barcelona, following a turbulent few months for him at the club. The 22-year-old had the opportunity to leave during the summer but chose to remain at the club. However, he has yet to make an appearance this season. Indeed, five matches into the 2026/27 campaign, the La Masia graduate has not played a single minute, even being left out of the matchday squad for one game (vs Elche). As things stand, it is clear that manager Hansi Flick prefers Xavi Espart and Joao Cancelo at left-back, leaving Balde struggling to find a place in the team. A dramatic change from last season Balde’s current situation is particularly striking when compared with the beginning of last season. In 2025/26, he started Barcelona’s first three La Liga matches. Flick left him on the bench for the entire match on only five occasions throughout that campaign when he was fit and available. Remarkably, Balde has already reached that figure this season, despite September only just beginning. Balde has seen his stature decline drastically. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) Leaving out the injured Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji, the 22-year-old left-back is now one of only two fit outfield players yet to make an appearance this season, alongside Brian Farinas. For a player who was previously a regular starter, the change has been dramatic. A difficult year Barcelona made Balde available for a potential transfer in August following a difficult campaign disrupted by injuries. He missed ten matches because of fitness problems. Some fitness issues during the summer meant he also missed a portion of the pre-season under Flick. Given the uncertainty over his future, Manchester United showed interest in signing him towards the end of the transfer window, but an agreement could not be reached. Balde, for his part, had no desire to leave Barcelona despite Flick making it clear that he was no longer a regular starter. His preference was always to remain at the club and fight for his place. Flick left him out of the squad for Barcelona’s La Liga opener against Elche because he did not believe Balde was sufficiently focused. Since then, he has returned to the squad but his role remains uncertain, with both Espart and Cancelo currently ahead of him on the left. Manchester United were interested in Balde in January. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images) Deco insists Balde still has a future Barcelona sporting director Deco has played down the situation and insists the club still believes in Balde’s potential. “Nothing has happened; he’s one of our players. He’s 22 years old, has a bright future ahead of him and a contract with the best club in the world. He has to fight for his place,” he said . Deco also pointed to Balde’s previous performances as evidence that the defender can still regain an important role at Barcelona. “He’s had injuries, but two years ago he was spectacular. If Balde is fit, it’s hard to imagine him not playing for Barça. “There’s been a lot of talk, but he’s never given any indication that he wants to leave. Whether he plays or not isn’t a decision for the sporting management.” The message from Deco is therefore clear: Barcelona have not given up on the academy product, but he must earn his opportunity again. Having chosen to stay at Barcelona when an exit was possible the homegrown star’s challenge is to convince Flick that he deserves another opportunity. If the situation does not change, a January exit could become a possibility .