By SABC Sport
1st June 2023
However, amidst their dominant 3-0 victory over Mallorca in their final home game, a dark incident left a stain on an otherwise joyous occasion.
Within the opening 20 minutes, Alejandro Balde, a La Masia product and one of Europe's brightest young talents, fell victim to a horrifying injury inflicted by Mallorca's Amath Ndiaye, who received a red card for his reckless challenge.
The Barcelona left-back writhed in agony, his pain evident, as he lay on the ground. Distraught, Balde was substituted and taken off the field. In an official apology following the match, Amath Ndiaye expressed remorse for causing such an unfortunate injury to his opponent.
Addressing his fans, the 19-year-old fullback recently shared a post highlighted by SPORT, expressing gratitude for their support. Balde adopted a positive outlook, acknowledging that injuries are an inevitable part of sports.
"Injuries are a bitter part of sport. Thank God it was less than it seemed. Thank you all very much for the messages of support and the expressions of affection! Now it's time to recover well and come back stronger than ever!" said Balde.
Undeterred by the setback, Balde vowed to return even stronger, keeping in mind his extraordinary breakout season. Reports from the media and FC Barcelona confirm that the young star will spend an estimated 6-7 weeks on the sidelines, approximately two months in total, during his recovery.
It is anticipated that Balde will rejoin the team midway through their pre-season games, although he may require additional time to attain full fitness. As Barcelona revel in their double triumph, the spirit and resilience of Balde shines through, inspiring hope for a triumphant comeback.