Barcelona had been quietly working behind the scenes in the final hours of the summer transfer window, ensuring that all paperwork and squad registration issues were resolved before the deadline.
The club has already made several strategic moves to strengthen Hansi Flick’s squad this season, with a focus on balancing youth integration and senior experience.
Discussions over financial fair play, player wages, and squad numbers have dominated much of the last week, as Barcelona aimed to maximise their roster ahead of the first international break fixtures.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on several academy prospects, with many hoping that young talents would finally receive their chance in the first team.
The anticipation has grown even higher after Barca’s recent performances suggested that squad rotation would be key in navigating the congested calendar.
In a last-minute move, Barcelona officially registered 18-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal as a first team player, according to the La Liga website.
Marc Bernal, who burst onto the scene at the start of the Hansi Flick era before suffering an ACL injury a year ago, had already signed a contract renewal last season that included a promotion to the first team this year.
His registration marks the culmination of careful planning by the club, who have been monitoring his recovery and gradually reintegrating him into training.
The young midfielder is now fully fit and will be reintegrated into first team activities, with his minutes and workload carefully managed by Flick and the medical staff until he is ready to feature regularly.
Bernal’s official debut as a fully registered first team player could come in Barcelona’s first fixture after the international break at home to Valencia, and he is expected to wear the number 22 shirt.
This registration is a significant milestone for Bernal, who is considered one of the club’s brightest academy prospects.
Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how he adapts to the demands of La Liga football after a lengthy injury setback, and whether he can fulfil the potential that originally saw him fast-tracked into the first team.
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