Fútbol Club Barcelona has taken an important step in the career of Marc Bernal. The 18-year-old midfielder has been registered in LaLiga as a player of Barça's first team, leaving behind the reserve team's record and confirming his definitive status within the squad led by Hansi Flick. With this change, the player will wear number 22, after having worn '28' last season before his serious knee injury.
Number 22 has a recent history in the culé dressing room. It was used by Ilkay Gündogan in the 2023/24 season and previously by Raphinha, who later adopted '11'. Now, Bernal will inherit it at a very special moment: right in the week that marks one year since the serious injury suffered in Vallecas that kept him off the field for more than twelve months.
Marc Bernal, in the final stretch of his recovery
The midfielder is very close to receiving the definitive medical discharge. If the deadlines are met, he could be available after the current international break and make his official debut with the first team in the league match against Valencia, scheduled for September 14.
Hansi Flick, who has been especially careful in his recovery, following the model applied with Gavi, hopes to give him progressive minutes to integrate him safely, assuming the minimum possible risks.
Bernal's imminent renewal: a commitment to the present and future
Bernal's registration comes with another great news: his contract renewal until 2029, which is expected to be official in the coming days. As agreed in his last extension until 2026, the club promised him that in his next contract he would be listed as a first-team player for all purposes, and now the promise has been fulfilled.
The termination clause of Marc Bernal's new contract will remain at 500 million euros, reaffirming the culé entity's total confidence in his projection.
The sports management celebrates this step as a strategic commitment to strengthen the midfield with a homegrown player who has demonstrated talent, character and maturity since his debut with the reserve team. Flick, for his part, is "burning with desire" to have him and believes that he can become a key piece of the present and future in the culé midfield.
With his registration in LaLiga and the imminent renewal, Marc Bernal is emerging as one of the names of the 2025/26 season. The culé fans eagerly await the return of the youth player, who could sign his official reappearance against Valencia, thus closing a cycle of struggle and overcoming after one of the most difficult injuries of his career.