Barcelona has confirmed that Marc Bernal ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in Tuesday’s win over Rayo Vallecano and will undergo surgery in the coming days.
Barça have yet to confirm how long Bernal will be out for but it is expected that he will miss most of the season due to the severity of his injury.
Bernal, 17, was injured in the the final minute of a 2-1 win with Rayo when he twisted his knee while diving to block.
Everyone could immediately see the seriousness of the incident, and coach Hansi Flick said it made it difficult to celebrate Barça’s third consecutive win at the start of the new LaLiga season.
“It’s a sad victory because Marc Bernal is injured,” Flick said in his post-match press conference.
“We won, that’s fine, but when you look in the dressing room, no one is happy.
“It’s not good. He had a great game — 17 years old, a performance like that. It hurts.”
Bernal has been one of the positives in Barça’s bright start to the season, making his club debut in the opening day win over Valencia after impressing Flick during pre-season.
Plays in the position of central midfielder, Spain The international teenager is one of three 17-year-olds who have started all three of Blaugrana league matches so far, along with defenders Pau Cubarsi and winger Lamine Yamal.
Meanwhile, the young left-back Alex Valle has participated Celts on loan for one season.
The 20-year-old has extended his contract until 2026 before joining the Scottish side, where Barça value the chance to play Champions League football.
Valle spent last season on loan at second-tier side Levante and is highly rated at Barça, where he played pre-season under Flick.
