The 2-1 defeat against Girona in Montilivi on February 16, 2026 was not only a sporting setback for FC Barcelona: it was the trigger for an internal crisis that has led Hansi Flick to take drastic measures. The German coach, known for his demands and uncompromising style, has definitively closed the door on one of the players who arrived this summer with the label of star reinforcement, but who has greatly disappointed at key moments of the season.

Sources close to the club confirm that Flick’s patience has completely run out, and the post-match conversation in the Montilivi locker room marked the point of no return.

The player in question is the Portuguese full-back who landed at the Camp Nou in the winter transfer window, from a top-level European club. His signing generated excitement due to his speed, his offensive capacity and his international experience, but the reality has been very different. Since his debut, he has accumulated residual minutes, notable defensive errors and a lack of adaptation to the high pressure and constant intensity system that Flick demands.

In the Catalan derby, his presence in the starting eleven was testimonial, and his performance once again fell below expectations, contributing to the cracks that Girona masterfully exploited in transitions.

According to information published by media such as El Nacional and other specialized portals, Flick was direct and without filters after the final whistle. In the locker room tunnel, the German coach approached the player and transmitted a clear and devastating message: his role in the squad is marginal, he does not enter into the short or medium term plans, and the most convenient thing for his career is to look for a new destination as soon as possible. “Think about your future outside of Barça,” Flick reportedly told him, in a conversation that left the footballer visibly affected.

It was not a veiled warning, but a cold decision: his time at the Camp Nou is over.

This resolution comes at the worst possible moment for Barcelona. The team gave up the lead in LaLiga to Real Madrid after the defeat in Girona, adding two consecutive serious failures (the 4-0 against Atlético in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals and this setback in Montilivi). Flick, who had opted to continue the basis of the previous year with some tweaks, now sees how the lack of individual performance puts his project in check.

The Portuguese is not the only one pointed out – names like Raphinha (starter after injury but lackluster), Ferran Torres or even some defenders have been criticized – but his case is the most paradigmatic: he came as a solution to a chronic problem on the side and has ended up being part of the problem.

The club is already working on the exit operation. With the limitations of financial fair play still present, selling or loaning the player would generate salary relief and could open space for a reinforcement in the winter or, more likely, in the summer. Several teams from the Premier League and Serie A have shown preliminary interest, attracted by his youth and potential, although the initial transfer price (around 30-40 million euros) could be adjusted downwards given the situation.

The player, for his part, is aware that staying would be counterproductive: scarce minutes, risk of losing prominence in his team and a locker room where Flick prioritizes fierce competition.

Flick’s decision was not improvised. Since his arrival on the bench, the German has shown that he does not hesitate to remove those who do not perform, regardless of the poster or the transfer price. Past examples at Bayern Munich and the German national team support this: when you lose confidence in a footballer, the door closes without appeal. In Barcelona, ​​this philosophy collides with a fan base that values ​​continuity and personal names, but Flick insists that success depends on absolute meritocracy.

“We need drastic measures to get the project back on track,” were his words in internal meetings, according to sources in the area.

Meanwhile, the locker room lives in a tense but controlled environment. Flick gave himself two days off after the Girona game for a “mental reset”, and upon his return he organized a session of more than an hour analyzing collective errors: midfield positioning, failed defensive transitions, lack of high pressing. The message was unanimous: there are no excuses, neither arbitral nor individual. Everyone must raise the bar, or the consequences will come.

The news of the Portuguese’s departure has circulated discreetly, but it is already generating debate among the culé parish: is it fair to sacrifice a recent signing so soon, or is it necessary to clean the team of ballast?

Barça has a demanding schedule ahead of it: the match against Levante at home will be the first post-Girona litmus test. Flick regains strength – Pedri and possibly Rashford are close to returning – but the shadow of this decision weighs heavily. If the team responds with victories, the play will be interpreted as a tactical success; If the downturn continues, criticism will intensify for having “burned” a valuable asset.

The truth is that Hansi Flick has marked territory: in his Barcelona there is no room for complacency. The Portuguese full-back’s time at the Camp Nou has ended abruptly, and the message is clear for the rest of the squad: perform or leave. The German does not negotiate with poor performance, and the surprising defeat against Girona has been the definitive catalyst. Now, only the results will be able to validate whether this ruthless decision was the necessary stimulus or an error that deepened the crisis.

Football does not wait, and the Camp Nou holds its breath. The next chapter of this Blaugrana story promises strong emotions.