Confirmed: Barcelona star Xavi Espart out for seven weeks with ankle injury after El Clasico

Confirmed: Barcelona star Xavi Espart out for seven weeks with ankle injury after El Clasico In a major blow, FC Barcelona have confirmed that breakthrough starlet Xavi Espart has sustained an ankle injury that will keep him out of action for the next seven weeks. The 19-year-old La Masia wonderkid sustained the injury during last night’s El Clasico at the Spotify Camp Nou, following a challenge from Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni. Tests were conducted earlier today at the club’s training facilities and the results reveal a serious blow for the youngster. “The tests carried out have confirmed that Xavi Espart has suffered an injury to the syndesmosis of the right ankle as a result of a traumatic action with an opposing player during the match against Real Madrid,” the statement read. “The estimated time out is approximately seven weeks,” it further added. A serious blow for Espart and Barcelona This comes as a gutting blow for Espart and Barcelona, considering that the youngster had become a permanent fixture in Hansi Flick’s tactical setup this season. Indeed, the 19-year-old starlet had become the manager’s preferred starter at left-back, an unnatural position for him, ahead of established options like Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde. Espart started and scored a goal in the defeat against PSG last week and featured from the get-go last night in the Clasico as well. However, close to the half-hour mark, he sustained the injury following a challenge from Tchouameni and was unable to carry on, leading to him being replaced by Balde. Espart out for seven weeks. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) The matches Espart will miss Espart is now confirmed to be sidelined for close to two months. It means that the versatile star will miss the upcoming matches against Alaves, Aston Villa, and Atletico Madrid prior to the international break in November. Post the break, the Catalans take on Villarreal, Sabah, and Deportivo de A Coruna in November, with Espart expected to be unavailable for those as well. Barcelona are scheduled to face Celta Vigo, Manchester City, Malaga, and Real Sociedad in December before the mid-season break. It remains to be seen whether the teenage starlet returns in time for any of those matches or will have to wait until 2027 to make his comeback.