Alejandro Balde sustained an injᴜry against Athletic, and the severity may exceed initial expectations. The left-back experienced discomfort in the hamstring area, and following various tests, medical professionals are deliberating whether surgery is necessary.

Alejandro Balde could potentially miss a significant portion of the season due to the injᴜry suffered against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey elimination. The wing-back felt a sharp pɑin in the hamstring, and indications suggest that the injᴜry might be more serious than anticipated. Medical examinations have been conducted to assess the extent of the injᴜry, with a focus on determining whether the hamstring alone is affected or if the tendon is also compromised.

If the injᴜry extends to the tendon, doctors may consider surgery in the coming days. Presently, there are two potential paths to be considered: surgical intervention, which would result in a recovery period of approximately four months, or a conservative approach that might allow for an earlier return if all progresses well, although it may not guarantee a complete recovery. In the latter scenario, surgery might still be necessary later, potentially causing Balde to miss the Euro 2020 with Spain.

A decision on the most suitable course of action for Balde will be made between Thursday and Friday, following the completion of all diagnostic tests to determine the optimal treatment. If surgery is deemed necessary, it would be a significant blоw for Barcelona as Balde would likely miss the remainder of the campaign. The team would then have to heavily rely on Cancelo, hoping for his fitness, and Héctor Font, who has demonstrated his capability on the right side despite being right-footed.

In an additional report by ‘TV3’, it is suggested that Balde may require surgery for a detachment in the hamstring tendon of his right leg. The Catalan regional television even identifies Lasse Lempainen as the surgeon for Alejandro, who is expected to operate in Turku, Finland, a similar location to previous surgeries for Ousmane Dembélé and Ronald Araújo, both under the care of the Finnish surgeon.