A challenging few days for Barcelona were made even worse on Monday after the Spanish club confirmed that new signing Sergio Aguero would be sidelined for up to 10 weeks with a calf injury.
Barca are coming to terms with life without Lionel Messi after a new contract for the Argentine star collapsed due to the club's financial constraints and La Liga's financial fair play regulations. Messi confirmed his departure during an emotional press conference on Sunday.
Aguero, a close friend of Messi and his international teammate with Argentina, joined Barca as a free agent in June after 10 exemplary years with Manchester City.
Barca's statement said Aguero, 33, had injured a tendon in his right calf muscle and would be out for around 10 weeks, meaning he will not make his debut until October 17 at the earliest, when they host Valencia in La Liga.
Aguero's problem comes after a final season with City blighted by injuries, limiting him to only seven Premier League starts.
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is now short of forward options for his team's opening league game against Real Sociedad on Sunday, with Martin Braithwaite, Antoine Griezmann and Memphis Depay his only available forwards.
Messi is reportedly finalising a move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he would reunite with former Barca teammate Neymar, who joined the French giants for a world record €222 million ($261m) in 2017.
Watch: Lionel Messi weeps over leaving FC Barcelona
