Injured Barcelona academy prodigy will be in the first-team setup when he returns in August | OneFootball

According to SPORT, promising Barcelona youngster Dani Rodriguez was already aware that Hansi Flick had him in mind for the first team ahead of the 2025/26 season, well before a painful shoulder injury temporarily derailed his progress.

The 19-year-old made his long-awaited first-team debut for Barça in May against Real Valladolid.

But just as he began to realise his dream, disaster struck, as Rodriguez suffered a serious shoulder injury in the first half, abruptly ending what was shaping up to be a breakout moment.

Days later, he underwent surgery and began a recovery process that is expected to last three to four months.

In Flick’s plans

Before this unfortunate setback, Rodriguez had been informed that he would be a part of Barcelona’s pre-season preparations under Flick.

The German coach had already seen enough to be convinced of the teenager’s potential, and Rodriguez was due to train regularly with the senior squad.

Dani Rodriguez has convinced Hansi Flick. (Picture Courtesy: X- @FCBarcelona_es)

The timing of the injury, therefore, could not have been worse. The 2024/25 campaign was already a difficult one for the homegrown talent, with physical problems hampering his rhythm and consistency.

The shoulder injury only added to his frustration, making the end of the season a bitter pill to swallow.

Enough optimism

Despite the disappointment, there is plenty of optimism surrounding Rodriguez’s future.

He is fully focused on his rehabilitation and is expected to return to training in August, just in time to try and catch Flick’s eye once again before the new season kicks off in earnest.

Flick is known to favour dynamic, intelligent young players who can adapt to his demanding system, and Rodriguez certainly fits that profile.

With a contract in place until 2027, the 2025/26 season will be decisive for the youngster, as the plan remains the same, which is to integrate him into the senior squad if he can prove his fitness and deliver during pre-season.