Barcelona enter pre-season carrying a significant injury concern after Frenkie de Jong returned from the World Cup with a serious knee problem that could keep him out for up to six months. The club is furious with Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman and the Dutch medical staff, feeling they were misled about the midfielder's condition during the tournament. Losing De Jong for the first half of the season would be a serious blow to Hansi Flick's midfield options, and the timing adds pressure to an already busy summer of squad reshaping.

On the transfer front, Barcelona are moving quickly to strengthen. Karim Adeyemi has completed his medical and a €29m deal with Borussia Dortmund is close to being finalised, with the Germany winger set to join pre-season preparations shortly. The club is also pushing hard to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, with president Joan Laporta warning that their offer carries a deadline. Atletico have so far refused to engage, and Arsenal have entered the race, complicating Barcelona's pursuit. Robert Lewandowski, meanwhile, has departed for MLS with Chicago Fire, leaving a striker-shaped gap that makes the Alvarez chase all the more pressing.

Off the pitch, Barcelona's LaLiga title triumph provides a strong foundation, with the club finishing eight points clear of Real Madrid on 94 points. Attention now turns to the World Cup final, where Lamine Yamal's Spain face Lionel Messi's Argentina, a fixture Laporta has described as a showcase of La Masia's global reach.