Spain's captain opted against a summer switch to Real Madrid - after landing La Roja to the 2026 FIFA World Cup title in July - as he informed City of his desire to join Barca.
With the 30-year-old into the final year of his contract in Manchester, the Premier League giants eventually accepted an up front transfer fee of €60M, to allow the former Villarreal man to head back home.
However, his start to life in Catalonia has been complicated by an extended summer break following the World Cup, and a back operation last month.
The procedure was not classed as a major concern for Barcelona, but he's been training alone since his arrival, and Hansi Flick will not bring him into a team session until Monday August 24th.
Flick has not included him in the matchday squad to face Elche in their campaign opener tomorrow, but he's progressing positively, and could make his club debut before the international break at the end of September.