FC Barcelona returned to work at the Joan Gamper Sports City in Sant Joan Despi on Thursday following a two-day break, and the session carried extra significance with Gabriel Jesus taking part for the first time since his move from Manchester City. The Brazilian had completed his pre-season work in England without issue, allowing him to join Hansi Flick’s squad from day one after meeting his new team-mates. His inclusion in the matchday squad for Sunday’s trip to Valencia was not confirmed.
According to Africa Soccer, the striker was officially presented by the Blaugranes on Tuesday before stepping onto the training pitch two days later. The report frames his arrival as the most notable development of the session, ahead of the Catalans’ fourth La Liga fixture of the campaign.
Jesus entered the Camp Tito Vilanova pitch alongside Raphinha, Joao Cancelo and Hamza Abdelkarim, and was described as raising his arms and looking up at the sky after stepping onto the grass. The session came three days before Barcelona travel to Mestalla, following Monday’s 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano that kept them top of La Liga on nine points, level with Real Madrid but ahead on goal difference.
The other positive news concerned Gavi, who partially returned to team training after recovering from the right-leg bruise sustained against Elche. The Andalusian midfielder was substituted before half-time in that match and subsequently missed the wins over Athletic Bilbao and Rayo Vallecano, but his partial return meant he was expected to be included in the squad for the Mestalla visit. Seventeen-year-old winger Eio Martinez also joined the first-team group for the session, with most Barcelona Atletic players given the morning off after their Catalan Cup final defeat to Sabadell.
Jesus’s involvement gives Flick an added attacking option in training as preparations continue for Valencia, though the Sunday fixture would mark his first opportunity to be assessed in a competitive matchday setting rather than a confirmed debut. Gavi’s expected inclusion is the clearer availability boost from Thursday’s session as Barcelona look to protect their perfect start and top-spot position in La Liga.
