Rodri joins Barcelona team training for the first time

Rodri has taken part in Barcelona’s full team training for the first time since joining the club from Manchester City last week.

The Spain captain had spent the previous week working on his own after arriving late to Barcelona’s squad. His delayed integration followed his involvement in the World Cup and a minor operation on his back.

Rodri trained with the players who either did not feature or played only a small number of minutes in Barcelona’s match against Elche. Those who spent a longer period on the pitch against Elche completed a recovery session instead.

The midfielder’s first collective training session marks the next stage of his return to normal team activity. Until Monday, he had been limited to individual work since completing his move from Manchester City.

Rodri’s arrival at Barcelona had come shortly before the club’s latest fixtures, meaning he had not immediately joined the main group. His participation on Monday is therefore the first opportunity he has had to train alongside teammates in a full squad session.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Rodri could make his Barcelona debut on Thursday against Athletic Club. The match is a rearranged fixture from the opening round of La Liga.

Barcelona will consider his progress before deciding whether he is ready to be involved in that game. However, his inclusion in the group session provides the first indication that he is moving closer to making his first appearance for the club.

The midfielder worked alongside the players whose involvement against Elche was limited, while the match’s longer-serving participants were given a separate recovery programme. That arrangement allowed Rodri to join a competitive training environment without being placed in the same workload group as those who had completed more minutes in the previous match.

His potential debut against Athletic Club would come only a week after his move from Manchester City. It would also represent his first competitive appearance in Barcelona colours following his late arrival, his individual training schedule and the minor back procedure he underwent.

For now, Rodri’s first full session with the squad is the clearest development in his preparation. Barcelona’s postponed La Liga meeting with Athletic Club on Thursday is the next possible opportunity for him to begin his time at the club on the pitch.