Official: Barcelona youngster called up to Catalonia national team for friendly | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have officially confirmed that young midfielder Marc Bernal has been called up by the Catalonia national team for their upcoming friendly match against Palestine.

“Marc Bernal is one of the 22 players called up by the Catalan national team for the match on November 18,” the statement revealed.

“The midfielder from Berga has been called up by coach Gerard López and will wear the four bars for a very special and charity match against Palestine at the Olympic Stadium next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.”

The 18-year-old midfield starlet, who has barely played since returning from an ACL injury back in September, will make use of the match to build some rhythm and get more minutes under his belt.

The match will take place next Tuesday, November 18, at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic, and will mark the La Masia graduate’s debut for the Catalonia national team.

In preparation for the same, Bernal is even participating in a training match with Barça Atletic, as he hopes to build some rhythm and gain match fitness.

Having made his senior breakthrough last year, the teenager suffered a serious ACL injury in only his third official first-team appearance and was out for more than 12 months.

Since returning in September against Valencia, Bernal has played less than 50 minutes, with Hansi Flick & co. being very careful with his reintegration.

The match for Catalonia against Palestine, thus, should help the youngster as he works towards becoming a regular for Barcelona soon.