Barcelona fans lament as Pedri faces potential Olympic Games call-up

Barcelona supporters are expressing concern as star midfielder Pedri is reportedly in contention for a surprise call-up to the Spain squad for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, extending his 2023/24 season.

Pedri, who has recently recovered from a series of injuries that plagued his past year, has faced challenges due to fatigue and overplaying, with multiple setbacks affecting his availability for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

The talented midfielder's debut season in 2020/21 saw him amass 52 appearances for Barcelona in various competitions. 

Despite reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship with Spain that summer, Pedri was unexpectedly called up to the Spain Olympic squad, reaching the final against Brazil and concluding his season with a total of 73 games.

As the 2023/24 season progresses, Pedri's return to full fitness has reignited speculation about his potential call-up to the Spain squad for the 2024 Olympics. According to reports from Diario Sport, Santi Denia, the coach of the Spain U-21 team, is considering requesting Pedri to join his panel for the upcoming Olympic Games, despite Barcelona's reluctance.

Barcelona's current campaign is set to conclude on May 26, while the European Championship is scheduled to run from June 14 to July 14. If Pedri accepts the call-up for the Olympics, which begin on July 24 and end on August 10, it would mean that he would miss the entirety of Barcelona's preseason.

The prospect of Pedri having a truncated post-season break has raised concerns among Barcelona fans, who fear that the young midfielder might face burnout and increased risk of injury due to continuous playing commitments. As discussions continue between the parties involved, the situation remains uncertain, leaving fans anxiously awaiting updates on Pedri's potential Olympic Games call-up.