Young midfielder Marc Bernal has emerged as a key figure for FC Barcelona this season. Taking advantage of Frenkie de Jong’s injury, Bernal secured a spot in the starting lineup and has impressively scored four goals in his last five appearances.
He netted his first goal on February 7 against Mallorca, sealing a 3-0 win. Bernal also opened the scoring against Levante and recently scored twice in the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Atlético Madrid, playing a crucial role in Barcelona’s attempt at a comeback.
Bernal has played 695 minutes across 25 matches—half the minutes Vinicius Jr. needed to score the same number of goals in his debut Real Madrid campaign. Beyond his offensive impact, Bernal adds balance to the team’s play, with Barcelona conceding just six goals when he is on the pitch.
These achievements are notable considering Bernal’s serious knee injury last season, which required a lengthy recovery. Now a trusted player under coach Hansi Flick, Bernal’s rise emphasizes the value of young talent in stabilizing and advancing Barcelona’s ambitions this season.
