Joan Laporta gives Marc Bernal the best possible news: 'If everything goes as we want...'

Beyond the sports results and the team's day-to-day, Joan Laporta remains very alert to Marc Bernal's progress. The young academy player broke through strongly last season, making it clear that he possesses extraordinary qualities to succeed at Barça. However, he was only able to play three matches before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and missing the rest of the season.

From the very beginning, both the club and the medical staff set a clear goal: for Marc Bernal to reach 100% for preseason. Indeed, the midfielder successfully completed all stages of recovery, trained normally, and was medically cleared without discomfort. Nevertheless, his presence on the field is being managed with extreme caution, to the point that he has played only 93 minutes this season.

This fact becomes even more relevant if we consider that 45 of those minutes came last Saturday against Alavés, when he started for the first time this season. Neither Marc Bernal nor those around him fully understand why he isn't having a greater role, especially in a context where the team needs rotations. With Gavi out long-term due to injury and Pedri being handled with care, everything suggested that the academy player would have a more prominent role.

However, the reality is very different: within Barça they assure that the lack of minutes isn't due to any doubts about his ability or footballing level. Everything is exclusively due to a precautionary plan designed to avoid any physical setbacks after such a delicate injury as the ACL. Marc Bernal is expected to have an important long-term role, so the club wants to act wisely and without rushing.

Joan Laporta already told Marc Bernal

The best proof of this can be found in the words that Joan Laporta addressed to Marc Bernal last September 29, during his contract renewal event. The president was clear, forceful, and tremendously ambitious: "If everything goes as we want, someday you'll be Barça's captain". This is a message of absolute trust that shows the enormous appreciation the board has for the young midfielder.

His start against Alavés showed promising signs. Marc Bernal showed personality in building from the back, good judgment in distribution, and a level of intensity that reminds everyone why he's considered the greatest talent from La Masia. He was substituted at halftime purely out of caution, not due to performance, and that will remain the guideline over the coming weeks.

Starting in January, if there are no setbacks, Marc Bernal is expected to gradually enter Flick's plans. The club wants his prominence to increase, but always within a controlled plan that prioritizes his long-term health. As Joan Laporta rightly said, Barça see him as a future captain destined to deliver many glorious nights at Camp Nou.