Barcelona prodigy recovering ahead of schedule and could return sooner than expected | OneFootball

According to a recent report from SPORT, it has come to light that Marc Bernal’s recovery is progressing faster than initially anticipated, raising hopes that the midfielder could be available sooner than the original 12-month timeline.

Bernal’s injury — a serious one affecting the external meniscus of his left knee — occurred on just the third matchday of the La Liga season.

It was a bitter blow at a time when the teenager had started to make a name for himself under Hansi Flick.

With both Frenkie de Jong and Gavi sidelined during that period, Bernal had emerged as a valuable option for the German coach, earning regular minutes in the starting eleven.

The initial prognosis had Bernal out for a year, echoing a similar timeframe to Gavi’s long-term knee issue.

However, the 17-year-old has been making strides in his recovery and has now reached the stage where he is doing light training on the pitch, notably in football boots, which is a significant milestone in his rehabilitation.

Marc Bernal’s recovery is going well. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

On Sunday, he was seen running alongside other recovering players like Alejandro Balde and Marc Casado, both of whom are not yet cleared for full team sessions.

What next for Marc Bernal now?

The question now turns to what role Bernal will have at Barcelona next season. His early recovery is a positive sign, but it comes at a time when the midfield competition is expected to be fierce.

With Frenkie de Jong back to full fitness and resuming his role as a key figure in Flick’s system, Bernal’s path to consistent first-team minutes may become more complicated.

Still, his versatility, maturity on the ball, and positional awareness make him a unique asset.

If he continues to recover without setbacks and impresses in pre-season training, Flick might find a spot for him in rotation, especially in less demanding league matches or Copa del Rey ties.

Additionally, with Barcelona’s history of injury struggles in midfield — Gavi and Pedri being recent examples — having depth will be crucial.