Pacífico makes progress

Uruguayan defender Pacífico cleared from medical and beginning grass work after six-month knee injury recovery; expected to return to full training by January or February.

Patricio Pacífico, the 20-year-old Uruguayan defender on loan at Barcelona from Defensor, has been cleared from the medical centre and has begun outdoor rehabilitation following a serious knee injury that sidelined him six months ago. The club extended his loan by a season despite the lengthy recovery period.

Pacífico is now working on Barcelona's sand pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva to rebuild muscle strength and can observe his teammates up close. The recovery pathway follows a measured progression: sand work and strengthening, then jogging, directional changes and running intensity drills, before ball work resumes around year-end. Full integration with the squad is targeted for January or February.

Barcelona and Defensor's loan agreement includes a mandatory purchase option if Pacífico plays three matches upon his return—he had played seven before injury, falling short of the original ten-game threshold. Hansi Flick's coaching staff had identified the reliable, technically proficient defender as a candidate for preseason with Barcelona's first team.