Official: Barcelona defender withdraws from national team with hand injury

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has officially confirmed that Barcelona defender Gerard Martin has withdrawn from the Spain U-21 squad at the UEFA U-21 European Championships due to a hand injury.

“Gerard Martin, an international player with the Spanish Under-21s, has suffered a dislocation of the fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand,” the statement from the RFEF read.

“The medical services of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, always in contact with the counterparts of the player’s home club, FC Barcelona, have confirmed, after carrying out the relevant tests, the injury to the defender.”

🔴 Gerard Martín abandona la concentración de la @SEFutbol sub-21.

El lateral del @FCBarcelona_es sufre una lesión en su mano derecha que le impedirá jugar el resto del Europeo.

ℹ https://t.co/oxhyxI7Fgk#NuestraBase | #U21EURO pic.twitter.com/ZwGuT55BO5

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 12, 2025

“Martin damaged his hand accidentally in a fall shortly after the start of the opening match of the European Championship against Slovakia on Wednesday. As a result, Gerard Martin will leave the Spanish national team camp.”

Named in the starting XI alongside Barcelona teammate Pablo Torre, Martin ended up suffering the injury in what comes as a bitter blow for the 23-year-old.

As reported earlier today, the young defender will soon be returning to Barcelona in order to undergo surgery on the fractured bone.

The statement from the RFEF further states that there will be no replacement called up for Martin due to competition regulations.