Is Rodri Playing Tonight for Barcelona vs. Elche?

Photo by Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images

Is Rodri Playing Tonight for Barcelona vs. Elche?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Aug 23, 2026 12:18 PM ET

FC Barcelona first game of the new season will be away at Elche in La Liga. Barcelona are the current Spanish champions after winning the league title for two consecutive seasons.

Barcelona have brought in new players into the squad and the most exciting player to have arrived is Spanish midfielder Rodri, who joined the club last week.

Before the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Al Ahly SC, Rodri was presented as a new FC Barcelona player. Rodri is one of the best players in the world and recently won the World Cup with Spain.

Rodri was recognized as the best player of the World Cup with the Golden Ball award at the World Cup.

Rodri of FC Barcelona acknowledges the fans as he is introduced before the Joan Gamper Trophy between FC Barcelona and Al Ahly SC at Spotify Camp Nou on August 19, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Rodri was seen training the the Barcelona facilities ahead of the Elche match today but he is not called up to be part of the squad and will not play.

The squad for our first league game!
✈️ #ElcheBarça pic.twitter.com/7lWCekrM6W
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 23, 2026

Why is Rodri Not Playing Today for FC Barcelona?

Rodri is not injured and was seen training at the FC Barcelona facilities int he last few days but he was not called up for the squad that will play Elche.

Rodri is currently not match fit and trained individually to gain rhythm. Rodri is expected to make his FC Barcelona debut soon but will need to gain match fitness as he had no pre-season.

His last match was in the 2026 World Cup Final for Spain, where he played 99 minutes as the game went to extra-time.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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