According to a report by Barca Universal on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen is expected to miss Sunday's El Clasico against Real Madrid as he continues recovering from a left quadriceps injury that has kept him out of action for more than a month.

The Danish centre-back was initially expected to spend four to six weeks on the sidelines after sustaining the injury during Barcelona's La Liga match against Sevilla on September 19. However, his recovery has reportedly taken longer than anticipated, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming fixtures.

According to SPORT, Barcelona are now considering the possibility that Christensen could be out for approximately two months. Although the club has not confirmed an official return date, his rehabilitation progress suggests that he may require additional time before returning to competitive football.

Christensen suffered the injury during the Sevilla encounter after experiencing discomfort, forcing Barcelona to substitute him with Gerard Martin. Subsequent medical examinations confirmed damage to his left quadriceps, leaving the defender facing another spell away from the pitch.

Barcelona initially declined to provide a specific recovery timeline, explaining that his return would depend on his progress during rehabilitation. Given his history of muscular problems, the club's medical team is taking extra precautions to reduce the risk of another setback.

The defender has already missed four matches this season, including La Liga encounters against Real Betis and Getafe, alongside Champions League fixtures against Galatasaray and Paris Saint-Germain. His continued absence presents another challenge for Barcelona as they approach a demanding period of domestic and European football.

Christensen could also miss Barcelona's Champions League clash against Aston Villa on November 3. The Catalan side will then travel to face Atletico Madrid on November 8, with his availability depending on how quickly he progresses in his recovery.

Barcelona are scheduled to host Villarreal on November 22 after the international break. That fixture could offer a more realistic opportunity for Christensen to return if the club maintains its cautious rehabilitation approach.

Meanwhile, Barcelona face growing concerns over their defensive options, particularly with Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia also unavailable. Christensen's absence leaves the coaching staff with fewer experienced alternatives during a crucial stage of the season.

Despite the pressure to strengthen the defence, Barcelona must avoid rushing the Danish international back into action. Allowing him sufficient time to recover fully could help prevent another muscular injury and improve his chances of remaining available for the rest of the campaign.