Barcelona full-back Xavi Espart will miss about seven weeks with a right ankle injury, the club said on Monday, deepening their defensive crisis after Sunday’s 2-1 home LaLiga defeat by Real Madrid.

The 19-year-old went off in the 30th minute and was replaced by Alejandro Balde. Barca said the injury came from a collision with a Real Madrid player.

Espart has made nine appearances for the Catalan club this season, scoring two goals and providing two assists.

Barca are already without defenders Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia through injury. Joao Cancelo, Balde, Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin are the only defenders available to the squad.

The timeline means Espart could be sidelined for the rest of 2026, with Barca’s final game of the year scheduled for December 20.