Official: Barcelona successfully register 18-year-old midfielder with the first team

Barcelona have officially registered Marc Bernal with the first team during the closing hours of the summer transfer window, as the midfielder now appears on the team roster on the La Liga website. 

The young midfielder will now spend the 2025/26 season under a first-team contract, a move confirmed just minutes before the window shut.

This decision was made possible after Hector Fort’s loan move to Elche, which freed up the necessary salary space in the squad. 

The club was not obliged to make this move since Bernal is still young enough to feature for the reserves, but the step highlights the faith Hansi Flick and the management have in him.

Flick is keen to integrate Bernal into his plans and hopes to have him available for Barcelona’s upcoming clash against Valencia. 

After a year of recovery, this registration is also seen as recognition of his hard work and determination to bounce back from a serious injury.

Overcoming a year of setback

This week also marks one year since Bernal suffered a major blow against Rayo Vallecano last season. 

The midfielder tore his anterior cruciate ligament and also injured the external meniscus in his left knee, an incident that sidelined him for the entire campaign. 

It was a huge setback considering he had just broken into the first team, starting matches and earning Flick’s trust with his performances.

Since his recovery, Bernal has been working hard to return to full fitness. For the past six weeks, he has been training regularly with the squad while waiting for medical clearance. 

Flick and the staff are not rushing his comeback, aware of the risks involved in such injuries. 

However, the belief is strong that once fully fit, Bernal’s presence will add much-needed energy, control, and strength to Barcelona’s midfield.

For now, patience remains key, but the official registration confirms Barcelona’s long-term trust in Marc Bernal as an important part of their future.