After a grueling 382-day absence, Barcelona’s teenage midfield sensation Marc Bernal has received full medical clearance and is set to be included in Hansi Flick’s squad for Sunday’s La Liga clash against Valencia.
The club confirmed the milestone on September 13, 2025, marking the end of a challenging recovery journey for the La Masia graduate.
Bernal suffered a devastating knee injury on August 27, 2024, during a collision with Rayo Vallecano’s Isi Palazón in the closing moments of a league match.
The injury involved a torn anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus damage, requiring surgery and an extensive rehabilitation process.
Despite returning to group training during preseason, both player and club opted for patience, waiting until he received the complete medical green light.
Manager Hansi Flick confirmed Bernal will be on the bench against Valencia but not in the starting lineup, emphasizing the need to manage the emotional moment of his return after such a lengthy absence.
“We’re very happy with what we’ve seen in training, with his quality. I’m really looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch,” Flick stated during his pre-match press conference.
Before his injury, Bernal had impressed dramatically,
starting Barcelona’s first three league matches of the 2024-25 season against Valencia, Athletic Club, and Rayo Vallecano.
His breakthrough performances had positioned him as a key figure in Flick’s plans before the cruel setback at Vallecas halted his momentum.
Bernal’s return provides a much-needed boost to Barcelona’s midfield options, especially with Frenkie de Jong ruled out against Valencia due to a muscle injury picked up on international duty.
The club views Bernal as a future cornerstone and plans to manage his minutes carefully to avoid any recurrence, with his return timeline being notably ahead of schedule.
The 18-year-old’s comeback story represents a triumph of perseverance and modern sports medicine, offering Barcelona fans hope that one of their most promising academy products can still fulfill his enormous potential.
