Rodri will miss Barcelona‘s top of the table clash with Atlético Madrid this weekend with a hamstring injury, the LaLiga leaders confirmed Wednesday.
The Spain midfielder was taken off at half-time during Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League win over Premier League side Aston Villa.
Tests at the club’s training ground on Wednesday confirmed a “minor injury to his right hamstring,” Barça said, ruling him out of Sunday’s game at the Metropolitano.
Barça have not confirmed how long he will be sidelined, although club football stops for an international break after this weekend.
Spain are due to play Czechia on Nov. 12 and England on Nov. 15, with coach Luis de la Fuente set to name his squad for those fixtures on Friday.
If Rodri is not available for his country, the next possible date for his return will be Barça’s LaLiga match at home to Villarreal on Nov. 22.
Rodri has quickly established himself as first choice in Barça’s midfield since joining from Manchester City in the summer, making 14 appearances in all competitions this season and scoring one goal.
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Meanwhile, Barça’s injury crisis in defence is starting to ease with both Eric García and Andreas Christensen closing in on a return to action.
García and Christensen trained on Wednesday ahead of the visit to Atlético, although Jules Koundé is yet to return to full training from an ankle injury.
Full-back Xavi Espart will be out until the end of the year, while further forward Dani Olmo and Roony Bardghji remain unavailable.
Barça have bounced back from back-to-back defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid with impressive victories against Alavés and Villa, but their title credentials will once again be tested this weekend.
They head to Atlético with 30 points from their 11 league games so far, two points ahead of Diego Simeone’s side, who have won seven consecutive LaLiga matches since losing to Athletic Club in September.
Real Madrid, who travel to Valencia on Saturday, are just a point behind Atlético.
