Barcelona’s Stars Face International Pressure During Break

BARCELONA, Spain — The latest FIFA international break presents a challenging scenario for key players of FC Barcelona as they join their national teams for crucial matches. With the season intensifying, players like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong will continue to showcase their talents on the international stage, representing their countries.

Barcelona has remained unbeaten in 2025, beneficially bolstered by a roster filled with some of the world’s elite athletes. However, the downside of this success is minimal recovery time for essential team members during a demanding season.

Initially, 12 players from Barcelona were selected to represent their senior national teams. Still, injuries to specific players diminished this count to 10, who will compete for six different nations. Additionally, three first-team members, Fermín López, Gerard Martín, and Pablo Torre, will participate with Spain’s U-21 squad.

Among those representing La Roja in the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinals are Yamal, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Pau Cubarsí. They face a critical clash against the Netherlands, led by teammate Frenkie de Jong. Meanwhile, Raphinha aims to impress with Brazil in their ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Additionally, Ronald Araujo returns to the Uruguay national team after recovering from an injury that sidelined him following the 2024 Copa América. Araujo’s presence is vital as Uruguay seeks to improve their standing in qualifiers.

For fans eager to follow their favorite players during the March international break, matches will be broadcast on platforms including FS1 in the USA and various channels in the UK. Key games include:

• Netherlands vs. Spain: March 20, 3:45 p.m. ET
• Spain vs. Netherlands: March 23, 3:45 p.m. ET
• Croatia vs. France: March 20, 3:45 p.m. ET
• Poland vs. Lithuania: March 21, 3:45 p.m. ET