Rodri Set to Miss Barcelona’s La Liga Opener Against Elche

Barcelona’s marquee summer signing Rodri is expected to sit out Sunday’s La Liga opener against Elche after skipping full group training on Saturday, the club’s final session before the new campaign kicks off.

The midfielder was absent from the main drills and did not step onto the pitch during the 15 minutes open to the media, according to Spanish newspaper Marca. He again worked away from the squad, repeating the individual routine he had followed on Friday.

With no sign of him integrating into full training on the eve of the match, his participation in the season’s first game now looks extremely unlikely. Only a late twist would bring his debut forward.

Marca reports that, barring a surprise, Rodri’s first appearance in a Barcelona shirt will be delayed by a few more days, postponing the moment many fans have been waiting for.

The midfielder is regarded as the club’s standout addition of the summer window and a key piece in their rebuild.

It caps a whirlwind week for the new arrival. Rodri landed in Barcelona on Monday and was officially unveiled as a new Catalan player on Tuesday, but his first competitive minutes will almost certainly have to wait.