FC Barcelona have handed a new contract to their 17-year-old midfield prodigy Marc Bernal. The Spanish club set Marc Bernal’s buyout clause at 500 million euros and extended the teenager’s contract until June 2026, the LaLiga club said on Monday, 1 October.
When Spaniard Bernal will no longer be an Under-19 player in 2026, he will have an option to extend for an additional three years, the club said. Bernal, who was compared to Sergio Busquets after he played his first match for the club in LaLiga, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Barca’s 2-1 victory at Rayo Vallecano last month. Bernal was involved in a late tackle, where he was forced off the pitch in the final minutes.
A product of Barcelona’s youth academy, Bernal has made three league appearances since his debut for the senior team in their LaLiga opener against Valencia.
“Marc Bernal was, until his unfortunate injury, the huge sensation at the start of the season. After he joined manager Hansi Flick for the pre-season, the German coach was convinced that he was ready to move up to the next level,” Barcelona said in a statement.
“The club is convinced that he is a fabulous investment for the future and has reflected this belief with today’s new deal,” it further added.
Marc Bernal’s Injury
FC Barcelona had announced on August 28 that 17-year-old rising star Marc Bernal will be sidelined indefinitely after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the team’s La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano. The promising defensive midfielder sustained the injury during stoppage time in the 2-1 comeback victory, which marked his third consecutive start for the Blaugrana this season.
In an official statement, Barcelona confirmed the extent of the injury, revealing that Bernal also suffered damage to the lateral meniscus in his left knee. The club described the development as a significant setback for the young player, whose performances had made him a key figure in the early stages of the season.
