Barcelona have ended the 2022/2023 season on a massive high by winning La Liga Santander and having concluded it as winners of the Spanish Super Cup as well. However, despite a very dominant 3-0 victory over Mallorca in their final home game of the season, there is a particular stain that may have scarred that victory in its entirety.
Alejandro Balde, La Masia product and one of Europe’s top young talents, was taken off the field within the first 20 minutes due to suffering a horrific-looking injury at the hands of Mallorca’s Amath Ndiaye, who was consequently dismissed with a red card for his dangerous challenge.
The Barcelona left-back was in obvious agony and pain as he lay on the ground following the challenge and looked visibly distraught as he was taken off. Following the match, Amath Ndiaye even published an official apology to the player stating that it was never his intention to put upon Balde such an unfortunate injury.
In a recent post by the 19-year-old fullback himself as highlighted by SPORT, he thanks the fans for their support and shows gratitude, stating that he feels positive about the fact that the injury was not as severe as initially thought to be and that they exist as a natural part of the sport.
He concluded with the statement that he wishes to come back even stronger than before, keeping in mind the extraordinary breakout season the young star has had.
Since the injury, reports by the media and the official FC Barcelona statement have confirmed that the estimated time on the sidelines that Balde will have to spend during the course of his recovery will be approximately 6-7 weeks, or around 2 months as a whole.
He would be expected to return midway through the team’s pre-season games, and may still require additional time to fully recover.
