Marc Casadó, once one of Barcelona’s brightest emerging talents, is finding it difficult to replicate last season’s success under Hansi Flick. At 22, the defensive midfielder went from being a bigger part of the squad to a more peripheral figure, struggling for consistent playing time in 2025-26.
Casadó’s breakthrough came during the 2024-25 campaign when he seized his opportunity after Marc Bernal’s early-season injury. The La Masia graduate accumulated 2,447 minutes across 36 matches, contributing a goal and six assists, and appeared on the radar of Premier League clubs. Despite transfer interest from West Ham and Wolverhampton, Casadó remained committed to Barcelona, determined to fight for his place.
However, this season, circumstances have shifted. With Frenkie de Jong and Pedri securing the double pivot in most fixtures, Casadó’s involvement has been limited. Across 13 appearances, he has played just 591 minutes, starting seven games but completing only three. In some matches, he was even substituted at halftime. Against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, he did not enter the field at all, with Flick preferring Eric García and later Andreas Christensen in midfield.
When Pedri was sidelined and De Jong suspended, Flick still opted for Eric as the pivot, while Dani Olmo was deployed in Pedri’s usual role during other games. Casadó’s last start came on November 5th in a 3-3 draw against Club Brugge, after which Flick criticized the midfield unit.
Despite his reduced role, Casadó remains deeply connected to Barcelona. He was present during the club’s triumphant return to the Spotify Camp Nou against Athletic Club, where he received the match ball, a keepsake from a historic 4-0 win marking the reopening of the renovated stadium.
Negotiations are ongoing for Casadó’s contract extension through 2030, but with the imminent return of Pedri and Gavi, competition for minutes will only intensify. The young midfielder now faces the challenge of regaining his foothold in a team where his role has shifted from central figure to rotational player.
