Unexpected! Marc Bernal's situation is now official, Flick has made his decision: 'In January...'

The big news for FC Barcelona this season has a name: Marc Bernal. The homegrown Barça player has become the great hope of the fans after his spectacular performance in the youth categories. However, let's remember that last season, just as he was starting to establish himself with the senior team, a serious injury abruptly halted his progress.

In his third official match with the first team, Marc Bernal suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The injury forced him to undergo surgery and go through a long recovery process. For months, he worked alone at Ciutat Esportiva with the sole goal of coming back stronger than ever.

His commitment during that tough and lengthy journey was exemplary. The club's medical staff highlight his mentality, discipline, and the maturity with which he faced such a complex process at just 17 years old. Flick himself publicly congratulated him when he returned to training with the group, convinced that he has enough potential to be important in his project.

Flick's plan for Marc Bernal comes to light

However, the reality is that Marc Bernal still lacks prominence. It's already November and, despite the absence of key players like Pedri or Gavi, the young midfielder has barely had any opportunities. So far, he has only accumulated 31 minutes of play spread over four matches, a figure that reflects Flick's caution with his readaptation process.

Now, Hansi Flick has made a definitive decision. The German coach believes that the best thing for the player is not to rush his return to the starting line-up until January. According to reports, the plan is for Marc Bernal to gradually regain his rhythm until January, when he will be able to start without any problem.

From a medical standpoint, the measure is completely understandable. Recovering from a cruciate ligament injury is delicate, and any relapse could be devastating. Flick, aware of the mistakes that have been made with other young players like Gavi, doesn't want to repeat the same risks with Marc Bernal.

There's less time left to enjoy Marc Bernal

Flick keeps his roadmap unchanged. For the German coach, the priority is to make sure Marc Bernal fully regains his confidence and physical strength before demanding a leading role from him. His plan is to integrate him gradually and turn him into a key player for the first team starting in 2026.

If everything goes as planned, his return to the starting line-up will take place in January. That will be the time to see if Flick's patience pays off. The German coach is very clear about it: Marc Bernal won't be important until then, but when his time comes, he trusts he'll shine as one of La Masia's gems.