"Balde, more outside than inside"

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La Liga

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Levante Barcelona

13/09/26 16:15:00

10.00 7.50 1.20

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Alejandro Balde, a 22-year-old left-back, has been left out of rotation as a Barcelona player after not playing a single minute in the first four matchdays of LaLiga 2026/27. Hansi Flick has opted for Xavi Espart and Joao Cancelo ahead of him, a situation that raises doubts about the player's future after the international break.

Alejandro Balde, without minutes at the start of Barcelona

Balde did not play in the victories against Athletic Club, Elche, Rayo Vallecano, and Valencia, despite being part of the squad and available for selection against Valencia. Barcelona has 12 points out of 12 and scored 17 goals in those four matchdays.

The absence is not due to injury at the beginning of the season. Mundo Deportivo points out that Balde is the only first-team player yet to have played a minute, after Flick has favored Espart and Cancelo in his position.

This contrasts with his recent record. The full-back ended the 2024/25 season with 47 official matches, one goal, and eight assists, according to Barcelona's own records. Additionally, he renewed until June 30, 2028, and his contract includes a €1 billion release clause.

Xavi Espart overtakes Balde on the left flank

The main novelty is Xavi Espart, a 19-year-old defender who has started the season as a left-back, even though his usual position was on the other wing. Against Rayo, he recorded a 92% pass accuracy and an assist, reinforcing his place in the starting lineup.

Espart remained on the left against Valencia, in the 0-5 win on Sunday, while Balde and Cancelo were left out of the lineup. AS reports that the academy graduate has displaced both players at the beginning of the season.

Barcelona has also confirmed Espart's promotion to the first team by assigning him the number 12, while Balde retains 3 and Joao Cancelo uses 2 for the 2026/27 season.

Joao Cancelo adds competition for Alejandro Balde

Cancelo, 32 years old, returned to Barcelona this summer and can operate on both flanks. His presence increases Flick's options in a position where Balde was once firmly established as the first choice after several seasons.

The current scenario does not yet imply a departure decision. Balde is under contract until 2028, so any transfer would require negotiations with Barcelona or triggering a €1 billion clause, which, due to its amount, serves more as contractual protection than as a realistic market reference.

The next assessment point will come this Wednesday. Barcelona will then kick off the Champions League, and Flick will have to decide whether to continue with Xavi Espart and Joao Cancelo ahead of Alejandro Balde or reintroduce the 22-year-old left-back into rotation.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Balde, más fuera que dentro