Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is facing a race against time to be fit for El Clasico later this month after sustaining a hamstring injury during international duty.
The 37-year-old forward, who found the net in Poland’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Lithuania on 12 October, has been ruled out of Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga clash against Girona this weekend. He is also set to miss Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Olympiakos.
Barcelona are scheduled to meet Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on 26 October, but Lewandowski’s participation now appears in serious doubt. The club have not provided an exact recovery timeframe, although Spanish media reports suggest the veteran striker could be sidelined for around four weeks.
“Robert Lewandowski has suffered a hamstring injury in his left thigh. He will be sidelined, and his recovery time will depend on how the injury progresses,” Barcelona said in an official statement.
Lewandowski, who has scored four goals in nine appearances so far this season, joins an already crowded injury list that includes Raphinha, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Marc-André ter Stegen and Joan Garcia.
There was some good news for Barcelona, however, with young forwards Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez both returning to full training ahead of a critical fortnight for the La Liga champions.
