After 382 long days on the sidelines, Barcelona’s rising star Marc Bernal has finally received the medical green light. The 18-year-old midfielder is ready to step back onto the pitch, marking the end of a grueling recovery from a serious knee injury.
Early Life & Youth Career
Born: 26 May 2007, Berga, Catalonia, Spain
Youth Clubs: CE Berga → Gimnàstic Manresa → La Masia (joined around age 6)
Bernal quickly caught the eye in Barcelona’s famous academy, steadily climbing through the youth ranks until he earned his shot with Barcelona Atlètic and eventually the first team.
Professional Debut & Rise
First Professional Contract: June 2023 (valid through June 2026)
Barcelona Atlètic Debut: 27 August 2023 vs Logroñés in Primera Federación
First Goals: 22 October 2023 vs Sestao
First-Team Debut: 17 August 2024 in a 2–1 away win vs Valencia (La Liga)
His rapid progression highlighted not only his talent but also Barcelona’s long-term faith in his potential.
Style of Play
Position: Defensive midfielder (with versatility to step forward)
Profile: Tall, strong, left-footed
Strengths: Tackling, interceptions, aerial duels, composure under pressure, tempo control
Comparison: Frequently likened to Sergio Busquets for his reading of the game and passing quality
Injury Setback
On 27 August 2024, just 10 days after his La Liga debut, Bernal suffered a devastating ACL rupture and external meniscus injury against Rayo Vallecano.
Despite the blow, Barça moved swiftly to extend his contract until 2026 (with an option for more years) and protected him with a €500 million release clause, underlining their confidence in his recovery.
Road to Recovery
Bernal has spent over a year in rehabilitation and strength-building, gradually returning to full training. The medical clearance signals the final step in his comeback.
What’s Next
He is expected to rejoin first-team training immediately.
Barcelona will manage his return carefully, easing him into competitive action during the 2025/26 season.
With his talent and maturity, many believe Bernal could become a cornerstone of Barça’s midfield for the next decade.
✨ Marc Bernal’s journey has just restarted. After 382 days, Barcelona fans can finally look forward to seeing one of La Masia’s brightest prospects back where he belongs — on the pitch.
