Good news for Barça: Marc Bernal could return sooner than expected

Good news is coming from the FC Barcelona infirmary. The recovery from Marc Bernal's knee injury has exceeded expectations and his progress is 'full steam ahead'. In fact, in the coming days he will take another step towards his return to the playing fields, as he is expected to start working on the grass at the Ciutat Esportiva, half a year after his surgery.

The feelings regarding the midfielder are getting better and better, and his progress continues to be ahead of expectations. However, he still needs to enter the final stage of his rehabilitation, which is where an extra dose of caution is usually added as more setbacks can arise.

The youth player has been pushing himself in the gym at the Ciutat Esportiva for several months, tirelessly working on his physique to the point where he has significantly strengthened his upper body. The player has increased the load to progressively enhance his lower body, and now he is ready to take another step forward.

Bernal could reduce his downtime

For now, the club's idea is for Marc to start doing fieldwork on the grass as soon as possible. The player will train with low intensity and alone, initially doing light jogging and very gentle direction changes. However, the fact of stepping back onto the green will provide a new boost of morale for a 'gem' who, at 17 years old, is one of the greatest assets that Barça has.

Despite his process going at a faster pace than stipulated and much better than other cases of players who have also undergone anterior cruciate ligament and external meniscus surgery, Barça's plan is for the midfielder to complete the full year of recovery, just like Gavi did. However, Bernal could reduce his time on the sidelines to less than 11 months, although this is a case that will be discussed in the coming weeks.

At Can Barça, meanwhile, confidence in the player remains high. The player had established himself in Hansi Flick's starting eleven at the beginning of the season after a spectacular preseason, and the club envisions a prominent role for the youth player once he can wear the kit again. His contract expires in 2026, but he has already agreed to a new commitment until 2029 upon turning 18 on May 26. Meanwhile, the fans are counting the days for his return.