5 players bid farewell to Barcelona in the match against Athletic Bilbao
The conclusion of an unforgettable season. With ups and downs, plenty of learning, and most importantly, a great deal of success. The Flick era at Barcelona got off to a great start, and the 2024/25 season will conclude with a match against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés.
Not only will this mark the end of the season after 10 intense months, but it will also be the last official match in a Barcelona shirt for several members of the first team. It’s 100% certain that no player has left yet, but it’s becoming clear which players may be leaving the club.
Szczesny
The Polish goalkeeper, who arrived as a last-minute replacement last October and was brought out of retirement by Barcelona, is still struggling. He has received an offer from the club to renew his contract, but warned a few days ago that this was something he and his wife would have to seriously consider.
It’s not an easy decision for Szczesny, as he realizes his status will change, and he will be second only to Ter Stegen. This weighs heavily on the decision of whether it’s worth continuing or whether it’s time to return to the peace and quiet that retirement offers.
The Pole is not expected to start or feature at San Mamés, with Marc-Andre expected to continue getting minutes after returning from his serious injury.
Iñaki Peña
Another goalkeeper, Iñaki Peña, will not be saying goodbye on the pitch, in principle (or perhaps yes). The Alicante native could play a second-half role if Flick sees fit. In his case, this is perhaps the most obvious departure from the entire squad, as Iñaki was a starter for nearly three months of the season after Ter Stegen’s injury, until Flick decided to rely on Szczesny in January.
Peña trained at La Masia, then moved to Galatasaray on loan for half a season, and has been with Barcelona since 2013. Twelve years is no small achievement. It’s been a difficult year for him after losing his father. He’s now had a child. It seems he may move to another Spanish club. His contract expires in 2026.
Ansu Fati
Ansu’s participation in matches this season has been minimal. Flick has given him several opportunities, but the reality is that the youngster is no longer fit to play for Barcelona. He will likely start the match against Athletic as a farewell. The idea is to sell him permanently this summer. The player is under contract until 2027, but he can leave on a free transfer. It will be a complicated issue for Deco to resolve.
Pablo Torre
He hasn’t had much impact this season. There’s a lot of competition in midfield. He’s contributed significantly, especially in the first part of the season, but in 2025 he’s been practically unavailable. He’s also expected to get some playing time at San Mamés. In the summer, he could leave on loan (with renewal) or as a permanent transfer, as his contract expires in 2026.
Pau Victor
Although he trains like no other and displays a commendable attitude, he will leave on principle. His contract with Barcelona runs until 2029, and he will likely leave on loan. He is expected to start at San Mamés.
Source: Sport
