Barcelona have announced that Marc Bernal tore his anterior cruciate ligament during their 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday and will need surgery in the near future.
The club has yet to provide a timeline for Bernal’s recovery, but it’s expected he will be sidelined for most of the season due to the seriousness of the injury.
Bernal, 17, sustained the injury late in the match when he twisted his knee while tackling an opponent. The severity of the injury was evident immediately, and coach Hansi Flick noted that the injury overshadowed the celebration of Barça’s third consecutive win of the season.
Flick expressed his disappointment in the post-match press conference, emphasizing that despite the victory, the mood in the locker room was somber due to Bernal’s injury.
Bernal had been a highlight of Barça’s promising start to the season, making his debut in the opening match against Valencia and being a key part of the team. He was one of three 17-year-olds to start all three of Barça’s league games so far, alongside defender Pau Cubarsí and winger Lamine Yamal.
In related news, young left-back Álex Valle has been loaned to Celtic for the season. He had extended his contract with Barcelona until 2026 before the move, which also allows him to experience Champions League football.
