FC Barcelona have recieved a huge injury blow through their first choice left back Alejandro Balde picking up a serious knock against Mallorca at Camp Nou on Sunday.

The La Masia academy prospect - who has been one of the breakout stars in this season's La Liga-winning campaign after being handed his debut under Ronald Koeman last term - was filling in at right back in Barca's last home game of the season.

This allowed the veteran he has dislodged from the starting line up in Jordi Alba to start what will be his last ever home game in Blaugrana after announcing his departure in the coming weeks on Wednesday.

Furthermore, it also paved the way for Jules Kounde to operate as a center back, amid rumors that the Frenchman has let the club know he is open to offers away from the club after just less than a year in Catalonia.

Kounde has since denied the validity of the report by Relevo's Toni Juanmarti, and wasn't made to return to right back around the quarter hour mark as Barca led their visitors 1-0.

A stand-in was needed on 14 minutes, however, because Balde was hacked down by an outrageous challenge from Amath Ndiaye close to the knee. Ndiaye was initally given a yellow, which was then upgraded to a red once the referee had seen a replay of the incident.

It took another three minutes for Balde to be substituted for Sergi Roberto. And approaching half time, AS' Barca correspondent Javier Miguel tweeted that there was "pessism" with Balde's predicament.

According to Miguel, "initial explorations point to a torn right ankle ligaments" and the teenager will be out for a minimum of 10 weeks.

As Barca kicked off for the second half 2-0 up, the club's official Twitter page revealed that Balde "has a partial tear of the lateral collateral ligament of the right ankle".

"He will be out approximately between 6 and 7 weeks," the club added.

With Alba about to ride off into the sunset, possibly to the Middle East or Saudi Arabia, this leaves Barca short-staffed in his and Balde's shared position,

Balde should be fit for the start of the La Liga season, but will presumably take no part in preparations for 2023/2024 which includes a tour of the US to take on fellow European giants in friendly matches.

Marcos Alonso will probably cover for the Spain international, but any setbacks that the 32-year-old potentially suffers would leave Xavi with a huge headache.