Barcelona youngster will not feature in South Korea friendlies after lengthy injury absence | OneFootball

Having been one of the breakout stars of the pre-season tour last summer, Marc Bernal seems unlikely to take part in any of Barcelona’s friendly encounters this time out.

The 18-year-old midfield gem has recovered from an ACL injury he sustained in August last year, which meant he missed the entire 2024/25 season.

However, he did not train with the rest of the group ahead of the team’s first friendly on the Asia tour against Vissel Kobe and went on to miss the game entirely.

Bernal will not take part in South Korea friendlies

Now, according to journalist Victor Navarro, Bernal is expected not to feature in Barcelona’s remaining two friendly games against FC Seoul and Daegu FC.

The La Masia midfielder trained normally with the rest of the group today at the Goyang Stadium as they continued to prepare for tomorrow’s encounter against FC Seoul.

Marc Bernal has recovered from his ACL injury. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Along with Bernal, Eric Garcia, who missed training earlier this week due to an overload, also trained normally with the squad.

However, the Barcelona coaching staff, led by Hansi Flick, do not intend to take any risks with Bernal on the tour, considering his lengthy layoff after a serious injury that required surgery.

As such, the teenage prodigy will continue to be eased back into action without any rush, even if it means that the midfielder does not take part in any of the pre-season friendlies on the Asia tour.

There could be a possibility of Bernal being ready to play in time for the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Como 1907 on August 10 in the traditional curtain-raiser before the start of the new season.