BARCELONA - Winger from France, Ousmane Dembele, is confirmed to be absent from the Barcelona squad at the start of the Spanish La Liga next season, at least until next October. Dembele suffered a right knee injury and was ruled out for four months.

The 24-year-old striker had to be withdrawn while playing for France in the second match of Group F, against Hungary, in the middle of this month. In that match, Dembele only appeared for 34 minutes.

Dembele, who plays as a substitute, has a knee problem. Along with the injury he suffered in that match, Dembele's gait at Euro 2020 was officially over.

Now, after receiving further examinations from the Barcelona medical team, Dembele is required to undergo a series of medical operations to heal the injury in his right knee.

"Dembele's medical operation, which was carried out in Finland and led by Lasse Lempainen, has been a success. As a result of the medical operation, which is fully under the supervision of the Barcelona medical team, the French striker has to be sidelined for four months,'' reads Barcelona's official statement, Tuesday (29/6).

That way, the former Borussia Dortmund winger will most likely still be unable to strengthen Barcelona in a number of early La Liga matches next season. The plan, the opening match of La Liga next season will be held in mid-August.

In addition to disciplinary problems, Dembele's gait with the Blaugrana is often disrupted by various injuries. Throughout last season, the player who was recruited by Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund at the start of the 2017/2018 season was forced to miss four La Liga matches due to a hamstring injury.

Dembele's performance record was even worse in the 2019/2020 season. The former Rennes winger has only played in nine games and contributed one goal in all competitions.

During that season, Dembele spent more time in the treatment room due to various injuries, ranging from a hamstring injury to a muscle injury.