Barcelona could be set to lose Ansu Fati for up to seven matches after the teenage sensation was granted a Spanish passport.
The 16-year-old is now likely to be called up by Spain for next month's Under-17 World Cup, meaning he would miss a series of matches for the Blaugrana.
Fati, who was born in Guinea-Bissau, has impressed for Barca's first team this season, scoring two goals in his first four appearances and starting in the Champions League Group F game away to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.
The youngster, who came to Spain at the age of six, grew up in Seville and is keen to represent Spain at international level.
He was granted his passport on Friday as paperwork was pushed through and he can now appear for La Roja at the U-17 World Cup.
"I haven't spoken to him, but I understand he wants to play for Spain," U-17 coach David Gordo told El Larguero earlier this week.
"The idea is that Ansu can play the tournament."
Gordo will name a provisional squad on September 25 for the competition, which takes place in Brazil between October 26 and November 17.
Should he be called up and travel, Fati would miss up to seven Barca games, including the Clasico against Real Madrid at Camp Nou on October 27 and the Champions League clash at home to Slavia Prague on November 5.
"Let's see if he is called up," Barca boss Ernesto Valverde said in his pre-match press conference ahead of his side's trip to Granada in La Liga on Saturday.
"It would be a setback because he is a player who is giving us things.
"I don't know how we'll be for those dates. If it had been now, the setback would have worse because of injuries to other players. But we're going to be cautious and wait for the final list."
