Injuries to Koundé, Eric Garcia and Christensen bring Àlex Campos a first senior call-up

Barça Atlètic captain Àlex Campos, 18, has been named in a first-team squad for the first time, for Tuesday's Champions League trip to PSG. The call-up shows how thin Hansi Flick's defense has become, with Jules Koundé's ankle still a question mark for Sunday's Clásico.

Hansi Flick named a 23-man squad for Paris that includes two players from outside the regular first team, Àlex Campos and forward Hamza Abdelkarim.

Barça travel with six defenders: João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsí, Xavi Espart, Gerard Martín and Campos.

The club's 18 October medical update put Eric Garcia's expected absence at three to four weeks because of an injury to his right thigh.

Campos renewed his contract in July until 30 June 2029, with the club holding an option to extend it by one more season.

Àlex Campos, the 18-year-old captain of Barça Atlètic, has been named in a first-team squad for the first time. Hansi Flick included the centre-back in his 23-man list for Tuesday night’s Champions League visit to Paris Saint-Germain, with Jules Koundé, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Bardghji all injured.

Campos is one of two players from outside the regular first team on the trip, along with forward Hamza Abdelkarim, according to the club’s squad list. The Matchday 3 fixture at the Parc des Princes kicks off at 21:00 CEST.

Flick has six defenders for Paris, with Campos among them

The absences leave Flick with six defenders: João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsí, Xavi Espart, Gerard Martín and Campos, COPE reported. Martín’s place was not a given. He was taken off at half-time of the 2-5 win over Betis at La Cartuja as a precaution, but he is fit for Paris.

The injury list behind the call-up is long. Koundé sprained his left ankle and misses the game. An injury to his right thigh is expected to sideline Eric Garcia for three to four weeks, the club said in its 18 October medical update. Christensen has been sidelined since Barça confirmed a left thigh strain on 20 September, with no return date given. Before the injury he had played six games this season, starting four and playing 402 minutes.

There was better news further up the pitch. Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong are both in the squad, which Mon Esport described as the good news of the list.

Campos arrives with a contract to 2029 and a captain’s role

Born in Aitona, Lleida, on 2 February 2008, Campos came through Atlètic Segre’s youth teams up to cadete level before moving to Barcelona, Segre reported. He joined Barça in his second year as a cadete, and this season is his sixth at the club.

In July he renewed his contract until 30 June 2029, with the club holding an option for one more season. He signed at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in the presence of academy football director José Ramón Alesanco. Under Pol Planas last season he played 22 games: 14 in the league with two goals, five in the UEFA Youth League and three in the Copa del Rey.

His role has grown since then. Campos is one of four captains in Juliano Belletti’s Barça Atlètic and a fixed starter this season, and he scored in a win over Tudelano, El Nacional reported. The outlet describes him as a right-footed, 1.85-meter centre-back who passes the ball out cleanly from defense. He is strong in the air in both boxes, wins the ball decisively and plays out from the back well, according to the club’s profile of him.

Whether or not Campos gets minutes in Paris, the defensive shortage may not end there. The club said Koundé’s progress will decide whether he can play in the Clásico against Real Madrid on Sunday, 25 October.

Sources

Citations and primary documents this article references. Captured at the time of writing.

Paris Saint-Germain · Press release · Primary · Retrieved 20 Oct 2026

Barça 11 wins from 11; 5-1 v Feyenoord and 4-1 at Galatasaray; PSG two-time champions

COPE · News · Secondary · Retrieved 20 Oct 2026

Defenders in the squad; Gerard Martín's precautionary half-time substitution; 2-5 win at Betis

Segre · News · Secondary · Retrieved 20 Oct 2026

Came through Atlètic Segre up to cadete level

Mon Esport · News · Secondary · Retrieved 20 Oct 2026

First senior call-up confirmed; Raphinha and De Jong in squad