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Barcelona have an opportunity to answer Real Madrid's opening victory of the 2026–27 La Liga campaign when they face newly promoted Elche on Sunday night.
Carlos Espí's goal in the 90th minute ensured José Mourinho's second spell at the helm of Los Blancos got off to a winning start, with Barça's fellow Catalan club Espanyol on the receiving end.
While Madrid have been busy this summer attempting to halt Barça's run of dominance, the reigning back-to-back Spanish champions will be difficult to unseat. Questions linger over an attack that no longer features Robert Lewandowski or Ferran Torres, yet few are worried about the quality of Hansi Flick's midfield.
An already impressive engine room has been further strengthened by the high-profile signing of Rodri, who had his pick of Spain's top two clubs and chose Barcelona after initial interest from Madrid.
The arrival of this summer's World Cup Golden Ball recipient has not only shifted early title predictions in Barça's favor, but has led many to believe this could be the year the club ends their Champions League drought, now stretching to 11 years.
However, Blaugrana fans will have to wait a little longer before seeing their marquee signing in competitive action.
When Will Rodri Make His Barcelona Debut?
📋 The squad for our first league game!
✈️ #ElcheBarça pic.twitter.com/7lWCekrM6W
"I'm ready to play now," Barcelona's new $69 million signing said at his official presentation, despite having undergone back surgery following the World Cup. "The operation was nothing serious; it was an outpatient procedure."
There had been speculation that Rodri would miss the early weeks of the season due to the surgery, but it now appears the Spaniard will make his Barcelona debut sooner rather than later.
Nevertheless, Sunday's trip to Elche has arrived too early. Rodri trained apart from the rest of the squad in the lead-up to the match and was left off Flick's matchday squad list.
Gavi, Fermín López, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Marc Bernal and Brian Fariñas have been named as Barça's midfield options, with Frenkie de Jong potentially out until November due to a knee ligament problem.
Rodri is eyeing a debut in Gameweek 2, when Barça host last season's UEFA Conference League finalist Rayo Vallecano on Monday, Aug. 31.
Thibaut Courtois Reacts to Rodri's Real Madrid Snub
De Jong's injury gave Barcelona a genuine reason to enter the midfield transfer market, though their pursuit of Rodri was likely also a precautionary move to prevent Real Madrid from securing his signature.
Los Blancos have since gone on the defensive, with Mourinho delivering some characteristically sharp remarks. The Madrid boss described Rodri as the "cherry on top" rather than an essential addition, and said Rodri's "doubts" about joining had given him doubts in return.
"I think Real Madrid are so big that we can't have players who think twice," he said.
That view has been shared by Madrid's first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian bounced back from the injury he suffered at the World Cup to start in goal against Espanyol and was quizzed about Rodri's decision post-match.
In response, Courtois told reporters (via Live Score): "Every player chooses where he wants to be. If he [Rodri] did not want to be with us, then that is a shame for him. In the end, he is a great player, but he made his choice, and that's the end of it."