The young midfielder is expected to be out for the rest of the season.
“FC Barcelona’s rising star Marc Bernal experienced an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear during the team’s 2-1 away victory against Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, the club confirmed in a press release on Wednesday.
Bernal, 17, exited the field with assistance from the club’s physios in the final minutes of the match as the Catalan club rallied from a goal deficit to achieve three consecutive wins.
Barcelona confirmed that the 17-year-old La Masia standout will undergo surgery in the coming days and is anticipated to be out for the remainder of the season.”
Tests conducted on Wednesday revealed that player Marc Bernal has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and an associated injury to the lateral meniscus,” the statement said.
“In the coming days, he will undergo surgery, and once it’s completed, an update will be provided.”
Since making his La Liga debut against Valencia in the season opener, Bernal became a key player for head coach Hansi Flick, having impressed the German during the preseason.
He was playing as a central midfielder in the absence of Frenkie de Jong and Gavi, who also suffered an ACL tear during the international break last season, and was expected to remain a regular starter at least until the Dutchman returned.
With Ilkay Gundogan having left the club for Man City and De Jong and Gavi yet to return to training, Flick has another concern as Pedri also picked up a knock during last night’s match.
Flick was asked if the club would pursue a new signing should Bernal’s injury prove to be a long-term one, but the German declined, saying that the club is well-equipped in that position.
“This is very close to the match,” he added when asked if Barça would look to the market to cover a potential long-term injury for Bernal.
“Now we have to consider everything, but at the end of the day, we have many players. We have one more match before the international break, and then hopefully, players will start returning. We can cover the No.6 [position] without any problem.”
