Barcelona long-term absentee completes group training session; three players absent | OneFootball

FC Barcelona continued their pre-season preparations at the Ciutat Esportiva today as they gear up for the 2025/26 campaign.

After returning to the club on Sunday, the players underwent medical tests and examinations before manager Hansi Flick held the team’s first training session on Monday.

The Blaugrana players reconvened for training again today, with there being one major boost for Flick & co.

Marc Bernal back in training

As reported by Javi Miguel of AS, Barcelona youngster Marc Bernal was able to complete the full group training session with the squad in a huge boost.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been sidelined since August last year after suffering an ACL injury in his third official first-team appearance against Rayo Vallecano.

Having gone through his rehabilitation, the La Masia midfielder had entered the final phase of his recovery in the past few months and appears to have taken another step towards his return.

Back in training. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Indeed, Bernal completed the training session with the rest of the group today, suggesting that he might be edging towards a comeback when the team travels to Asia for the pre-season tour.

Three players absent

However, while Bernal participated in team training today, there were three notable absentees from the group session.

As already reported, Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen trained by himself for the second day in a row, allegedly due to a back problem, although there are doubts about the true reason amid question marks over his future.

Gerard Martin, who suffered an injury during the international break after the season, and Dani Rodriguez, recovering from shoulder surgery, were also not part of the group training today.