After more than a year on the sidelines, Marc Bernal is finally set to make his return to the FC Barcelona matchday squad this weekend when the Blaugrana take on Valencia.

A long road back from injury

The 18-year-old midfielder’s breakthrough was cruelly halted last season when he suffered an ACL injury in just his third official first-team appearance.

Since then, Bernal has dedicated himself to a grueling rehabilitation process, with both club and player taking extra care to ensure a complete recovery.

His return marks a symbolic moment for Barça, who view him as one of La Masia’s brightest prospects for the future.

Barcelona explored a loan exit for Marc Bernal

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona floated the idea of a short-term loan for Bernal during the summer transfer window.

The plan was to allow him consistent game time elsewhere, helping him regain sharpness before a possible January return.

Interest was immediate and strong, with as many as seven clubs enquiring about his availability. AS Roma, Chelsea, Brighton, Everton, Valencia, Girona, and Real Betis were all prepared to offer the teenager valuable minutes at the top level.

Bernal’s clear response

Despite the tempting proposals, Bernal made his stance clear: he turned down the loan move flat. For the young midfielder, the dream has always been to succeed at Barcelona, the club where he grew up and developed his craft.

Even the recent interest from Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr has not swayed him, with Bernal solely focused on carving out a career at Camp Nou.

Looking ahead

Hansi Flick is unlikely to rush the teenager back into heavy action, but having him available again is a huge boost for Barcelona’s depth.

If Bernal can stay fit and gradually rediscover his rhythm, he could still become a key piece of Barça’s midfield puzzle in the years ahead.