FC Barcelona have long been a home for world-class talents to emerge from La Masia, and one of the biggest in recent times is undoubtedly Marc Bernal. The Spaniard was among the first players to catch Hansi Flick’s eye last summer.
Bernal’s development has stalled slightly since the ACL injury that kept him out for an entire year. Since his return, Hansi Flick has managed his minutes well. The German manager has eased him back into competitive action, and the Copa del Rey tie against Racing Santander felt like a turning point.
For the first time since his comeback, the 18-year-old completed a full hour on the pitch. He was eventually withdrawn due to fatigue, but the significance of that trust was not lost on the player. Internally, Bernal views those minutes as a clear signal that the coaching staff sees him as part of the squad rather than a player on the fringes.
According to [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20260116/1002602716/bernal-le-diga-barca-plan-quedarse.html), Bernal’s position is very clear. His personal plan is to stay at Barcelona and continue building match sharpness under Flick. He is willing to accept whatever decision the club ultimately makes, but unless Barça explicitly ask him to leave, he has no intention of moving, [whether to Girona](https://semprebarca.com/girona-look-to-recreate-eric-garcia-success-story-with-another-barcelona-player-report/) or elsewhere.
The player’s preference to stay at Barcelona is understandable, but the club has his best interests at heart. Bernal is unlikely to get the minutes he expects, given the presence of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.
A move to Girona would give Bernal valuable experience. Everyone saw how much it benefited Eric Garcia a couple of seasons ago, and the teenager could follow a similar path for at least half a season.
However, losing Bernal would also mean sacrificing midfield depth at a time when fixtures are coming thick and fast. With Marc Casado going through an indifferent spell, the teenager might prove important in the run-in at the end of the season.
Barcelona and Hansi Flick need to weigh the pros and cons of this move, both in the immediate term and long term, and only time will tell how it plays out.