Just in: 19-year-old academy graduate backed to become Barcelona’s own Rodri for the next decade | OneFootball

Barcelona have largely not had to enter the transfer window to sign superstars in recent seasons, due to the immense talent coming through La Masia.

Although the club also had their hands tied by their financial situation, it coincided with one of the best golden generations the academy has produced.

Among the flag-bearers of this golden generation is Marc Bernal. He is increasingly being viewed as one of Barcelona’s most important long-term projects.

There is growing belief inside the club that the teenage midfielder can become the natural successor in the holding role that has lacked a permanent owner since Sergio Busquets left.

According to SPORT, Bernal is regarded as Barcelona’s version of Rodri, a midfielder capable of controlling games from the base of midfield and becoming the foundation of both Barça and Spain for years to come.

Barcelona see Bernal as the future

The defensive midfield position has remained one of the club’s biggest challenges since Busquets’ departure.

Barcelona have their own Rodri. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

While Frenkie de Jong has operated there at times, Barcelona believe Bernal possesses the profile needed to make the position his own.

The club feel the 19-year-old has the qualities to leave a lasting mark at Barcelona, and there is a growing sense that Hansi Flick should place his trust in the La Masia graduate as part of the club’s long-term project.

Bernal’s intelligence, composure in possession and ability to dictate the tempo of matches have made him one of the academy’s standout prospects.

Comparisons with Rodri continue to grow

The comparison to Rodri is based less on playing style alone and more on his potential influence.

Like the Spain international, Bernal is viewed as someone who can provide balance, protect the defence and become the player everything flows through in midfield.

Barcelona have high hopes for Marc Bernal. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has already recognised Bernal’s potential by calling him up for the friendlies before the World Cup, with the expectation that he could become an important figure ahead of the 2028 or 2030 tournaments.

Manchester City themselves have identified Bernal as a potential transfer target at a time when Rodri is linked with an exit, further underlining the comparison.

The good thing for Barça is that, in Hansi Flick, they have a manager who has shown immense faith in Bernal since his first day at the club.

With Frenkie de Jong out injured for the foreseeable future, there is no doubt that the teenager is going to see a lot of minutes in the coming months.

It remains to be seen how Bernal fares and whether this is the season in which he makes the world sit up and take notice of his potential.