Why Mika Faye did not play in Barcelona’s first pre-season friendly

An explanation for the absence of defender Mikayil Faye from the Barcelona squad which kicked the club’s pre-season schedule into gear on Thursday has been forthcoming online.

For those who may have missed it, Barca were back in action a short time ago.

Ahead of jetting off to the USA this weekend for a run of high-profile friendly fixtures, the Blaugrana faced off with minnows UE Olot, for a behind-closed-doors clash.

When all was said and done in Hansi Flick’s first outing on the Barcelona bench, the Catalans emerged on the right side of a 1-0 result.

Pablo Torre proved himself match-winner, slotting home into the bottom corner after being introduced to proceedings during the 2nd-half:

A whole host of Barca’s up-and-coming talents featured prominently against Olot, from Noah Darvich to Toni Fernández and Héctor Fort.

As alluded to above, however, one altogether notable absentee from Hansi Flick’s matchday setup on Thursday came in the form of Mika Faye.

Despite ongoing transfer links, defender Faye has stayed put in Catalunya’s capital to this point in the summer.

The hope amongst those of a Blaugrana persuasion, in turn, was that the Senegalese would go on to feature prominently in pre-season.

So, just where was Faye earlier today?

An insight into as much has this evening been provided.

As per a report from club insider Toni Juanmartí, the young defender is suffering with what is described as ‘ankle discomfort’.

Fellow starlet Unai Hernández, meanwhile, is dealing with a fever.

Conor Laird | GSFN