FC Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal has successfully avoided what could have been a serious injury after it was determined that the teen athlete only experienced stomach issues during the weekend’s match.
A report from Diario AS, shared by transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano via his official X account, indicates that the young midfielder did not suffer any serious injury and is anticipated to be back in full training next week.
Fabrizio posted:
No serious injury for Marc Bernal as Barcelona midfielder only suffered stomach problems. He’s expected to be available next week, reports Diario AS.
Concerns surfaced after Barcelona secured a narrow 1–0 victory against Athletic Club in the 27th round of La Liga for the 2025/26 season. The match’s turning point arrived in the 68th minute when rising talent Lamine Yamal netted the decisive goal, benefiting from a well-executed assist from Pedri.
Bernal was in the starting lineup but was replaced at halftime after showing signs of discomfort during his first 45 minutes. After the match, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick disclosed that the midfielder was facing “problems” throughout the game.
Softfootball has confirmed that the situation was due to illness rather than injury, indicating that Bernal suffered from stomach discomfort. While there was some concern, the club’s medical team is optimistic, believing the young player will recover swiftly.
The team has turned its attention to the upcoming UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Newcastle United. Flick and his squad have departed for England in preparation for the match at St James’ Park, aiming to achieve a result similar to their earlier encounter during the league phase.
However, Barcelona will be missing Frenkie de Jong for this match, a setback for the team given the midfielder’s strong performance on their last visit to St James’ Park.
In De Jong’s absence, Bernal is now considered a likely contender to fill the midfield gap, having proven himself as a reliable option in recent weeks. The young Spaniard has shown remarkable composure and the ability to manage the pace of the game despite his age.
Fortunately for Barcelona, Bernal is part of the traveling squad to England and is expected to participate in training sessions with his teammates leading up to the match. The medical staff will continue to oversee his condition, but there is increasing optimism that he will be fit to play.
The midfield matchup is expected to be crucial for the upcoming game. Newcastle is also facing challenges, having lost Bruno Guimarães to injury, which may provide Barcelona with an edge.
Despite De Jong’s absence, Flick can draw on the talents of players like Pedri and Bernal to compete with Newcastle’s midfield, which features Sandro Tonali and Joelinton.
As it stands, Bernal’s availability for Tuesday’s match remains uncertain, but Barcelona remains hopeful that the promising young player will be ready for this important Champions League match.
In other news related to Barcelona, veteran striker Robert Lewandowski has indicated that he will take approximately three months to evaluate his future with the club. The Polish frontman mentioned that personal satisfaction and family considerations will play significant roles in his decision on whether to extend his tenure at Barcelona.
