Alejandro Balde's Struggles at Barcelona: From Star to Sidelines

Alejandro Balde is stuck in limbo at Barcelona. Not injured, not involved, and for now, not in Hansi Flick’s plans.

The 22-year-old full-back has not played a single minute for Barça this season. While the team turns the page under its new coach, Balde finds himself on the margins, overtaken on the left by Gerard Martín and João Cancelo.

From untouchable to unused

Just a year ago, Balde looked like a cornerstone for the future. In the 2025-26 campaign, he started the first three La Liga matches and piled up 222 minutes almost without question. Flick only left him on the bench for the full 90 minutes on five occasions across the whole season.

Now, with September barely underway, that number has already been surpassed. He has yet to pull on the shirt.

The shift has been abrupt. After an injury-hit season in which he missed 10 games through physical problems, Barcelona placed him on the summer transfer market. The club listened to offers. Manchester United came calling late in the window, but talks between the two clubs collapsed over finances.

Balde, tied to Barça until 2028 with a staggering one-billion-euro release clause, had no intention of walking away from the Camp Nou. He wanted to fight for his place.

Flick’s verdict: not focused enough

That fight has barely started. For the opening La Liga game against Elche, Flick left Balde out of the squad entirely, judging him not sufficiently focused. The message was sharp. On the left side of defence, the hierarchy is clear: Gerard Martín and João Cancelo first, Balde a distant third.

The numbers underline it. Among outfield players who are fully fit, only Balde and Bryan Fariñas have not featured at all this season. The two reserve goalkeepers, Ljubičić and Szczęsny, are also yet to play, while Frenkie de Jong and Bardají remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

So Balde’s absence is not about fitness. It is about status.

Deco backs the player – with a warning

Inside the club, the line is one of calm, at least publicly. Sporting director Deco addressed Balde’s situation on RAC1 radio, insisting there is no internal conflict.

“Nothing has happened, he is our player,” Deco said. “He is 22 years old, he has a big future, and a contract with the best club in the world. He has to compete to play.”

The support came with a clear condition. Compete, or sit.

Deco also reminded listeners of Balde’s ceiling: “Balde suffered injuries, but he was outstanding two years ago. If Balde is in good shape, it is difficult for him not to play with Barcelona.”

Right now, though, the reality is stark. Outstanding or not in the past, he is watching from the stands in the present.

A crossroads in September

What makes this situation so striking is how quickly the picture has darkened. From early-season starter last year to surplus option this year, Balde’s trajectory has bent sharply downward at a club that once saw him as the long-term answer at left-back.

He chose to stay and fight instead of pushing for a move to the Premier League. Flick chose to trust others. Something has to give.

If Deco is right and a fully fit, focused Balde is “difficult” to leave out, the next few weeks will tell whether that belief still carries weight inside the dressing room – or whether Barcelona are quietly preparing to move on from one of their brightest recent academy products.