18-year-old Barcelona gem offers glimpse of pre-injury level against Real Betis – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona delivered a thumping 5 to 3 victory over Real Betis in La Liga, a result made even sweeter by Real Madrid dropping points against Celta Vigo last night. The win gives the Catalans a four-point cushion at the top of the table as they look to close out December in commanding fashion.

Ferran Torres stole the headlines with a sensational first-half hat trick, while Lamine Yamal and Roony Bardghji added the other goals. Although Barcelona lost some control in the second half and allowed Betis back into the contest, the overall feeling was overwhelmingly positive.

Beyond the goals and attacking brilliance, one of the most encouraging stories of the night unfolded quietly in midfield. According to SPORT, Marc Bernal showed clear signs that his best version is returning. The young midfielder from Berga produced his most convincing performance since suffering a serious ACL injury more than a year ago.

Bernal was injured on August 27, 2024, and only returned to competitive action on September 14, 2025, meaning 383 days passed between injury and comeback.

Specialists insist that a player returning from such a setback often needs additional months beyond medical clearance to truly regain peak form. Flick has reflected that understanding in how cautiously he has managed Bernal’s reintegration.

This season, the teenager had featured in eight official matches prior to Betis but had barely reached two hours of total playing time. He made his first start against Alaves but was withdrawn at halftime after struggling to find rhythm. Flick then opted not to use him against Atletico Madrid, waiting instead for what he described in previous press conferences as the right scenario.

That moment arrived in Seville. With Barcelona cruising at 1 to 5, Flick introduced Bernal for the final 27 minutes, giving him the freedom to play without pressure. The response was immediate and impressive. Bernal played with confidence, authority, and composure, showing the same qualities that had dazzled at the start of last season before injury halted his rise.

He completed 27 of his 28 passes, but the statistics only told part of the story. More important was how relaxed and assured he looked on the ball. His touches were sharp, his distribution precise, and he helped restore a sense of control during an otherwise chaotic final phase of the match.

For many inside the club, Bernal remains one of the most complete midfield prospects to emerge from La Masia in recent years. He is already viewed as a long-term pivot for the next decade, with a profile that combines physical power, technical quality, calmness under pressure, and even a developing goal threat. Flick has repeatedly stressed that protecting Bernal’s long-term health is a priority over any short-term gain.

The feeling after La Cartuja is that this performance could mark a genuine turning point in his recovery. If the traditional timeline for full recovery from such an injury is applied, Bernal is only expected to reach his absolute peak again toward the end of March. What matters now is avoiding any relapse and continuing to build minutes gradually.

If there were doubts that the best version of Marc Bernal might never fully return, his display against Betis offered a powerful answer. The foundation is clearly there once more. Now the focus shifts to consistency and continuity. If he can sustain this level, Barcelona have regained a complete midfielder capable of shaping the team’s future.