Barcelona suffer blow as prodigy Marc Bernal could miss entire season with serious knee injury

The 17-year-old midfielder is set to undergo surgery in the coming days.

While the club has not provided an official timeline for Bernal's recovery, the severity of the injury suggests that he will be sidelined for most of the season.

Bernal sustained the injury in the final moments of Barcelona's 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano when he twisted his knee during a tackle. The gravity of the situation was immediately apparent, and head coach Hansi Flick expressed how the injury overshadowed the team's third consecutive win to start the new LaLiga campaign.

"It's a sad victory because Marc Bernal is injured," Flick said in a news conference after the game.

"We win, it's OK, but when you see the dressing room nobody is happy.

"It's not good. He made a fantastic match - 17-years-old, such a performance. It hurts."

Bernal has been one of the standout performers in Barca's strong start to the season, making his first-team debut in the opening day win against Valencia after impressing Flick during preseason. Playing as a holding midfielder, the Spain youth international has started all three of the Blaugrana's league matches so far, alongside fellow 17-year-old defenders Pau Cubarsí and winger Lamine Yamal.

In other news, promising left-back Alex Valle has completed a season-long loan move to Celtic. The 20-year-old recently extended his contract with Barcelona until 2026 before heading to the Scottish club, where he will gain valuable experience, including playing in the Champions League.

Valle spent last season on loan at Levante in the second division and participated in preseason under Flick, where he continued to demonstrate his potential.