Barcelona midfield maestro could return vs Athletic Club after resuming group training

Barcelona fans will be pleased to hear that Pedri is edging closer to making his much-anticipated return to the pitch.

According to journalist Alfredo Martinez, Pedri has already participated in some of the group training activities during Wednesday’s session.

This significant step forward in his recovery journey hints that he could be ready to play as soon as next week, with Athletic Club likely to be the first opponent he faces upon his return.

Although there were initial hopes that he might be fit in time for the season opener against Valencia, it now seems Barcelona are wisely opting for a more cautious approach, ensuring Pedri is fully prepared before throwing him back into competitive action.

Barcelona want to be cautious

Pedri’s injury occurred while he was on international duty with Spain during the European Championship last month, a setback that was met with great concern by both the club and its supporters.

Pedri wants to return to action as soon as possible. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

The early diagnosis from Barcelona’s medical team estimated that Pedri would be out of action for around five weeks, giving rise to optimism that he could be back in time for the start of the new season.

However, given his history of injuries, Barcelona’s management decided not to rush his recovery, understanding the importance of a fully fit Pedri for the long campaign ahead.

Pedri is committed

As the weeks have passed, the young star has shown steady improvement, working diligently to regain his match fitness.

This week’s training session marked an essential milestone, as Pedri was able to join his teammates on the field for a portion of the drills, an encouraging sign that his return is imminent.

Fans will recall Pedri’s comments ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Monaco, where he expressed his determination to return to action as swiftly as possible.

His partial participation in Wednesday’s training session, which included getting back on the grass and working with the ball, suggests that his comeback is just around the corner.