In a memorable moment for Marc Bernal, the midfielder marked his recovery from an ACL injury by scoring his first goal for Barcelona during Saturday’s 3-0 LaLiga victory against Mallorca.
The 18-year-old came on as a substitute, scoring the third goal following earlier contributions from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal. This victory allowed Barça to extend their lead at the top of the table to four points ahead of Real Madrid, who are set to play Valencia on Sunday.
After suffering an ACL injury during only his third senior match for Barça in 2024, Bernal made his return to the pitch in late September. Coach Hansi Flick has been gradually increasing his playing time as he regains match fitness.
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“Scoring my first goal for Barcelona was incredibly special,” Bernal shared with reporters.
“When Fermín [López] got the ball, I recognized the space and made my run. I intended to shoot with my right foot but opted to cut back and use my left instead.
“It deflected, but that doesn’t matter; it was an unbelievable moment. It’s something I could never have imagined as a child.
“When I scored, I reflected a lot on the challenging times of the past year and thought about my family.”
Since his return, Bernal has managed limited minutes on the field but has now played in the last six matches. He has only exceeded an hour of play in one of those games.
“I knew from the beginning that it would be a gradual process,” he mentioned. “I’m feeling good now, getting more minutes, and making the most of every opportunity.”
Coach Flick expressed his joy at Bernal’s milestone moment, stating, “You could see on the bench how much it meant; everyone was standing and cheering in celebration.”
“For him, it is remarkable to score his first goal at Camp Nou. He performed exceptionally well, and this is an important step in his journey back to peak form.”
Bernal’s goal solidified Barça’s win after Lewandowski and Yamal had already pushed their LaLiga tallies to double figures. Yamal’s strike was particularly impressive, coming from 30 yards out; it marked his sixth goal in his last seven games and his 15th for the season in just 30 appearances.
Despite the resounding final score, the first half from Barça was lackluster. Flick has promised a stronger performance when they visit Atlético Madrid on Thursday for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal.
“I was not satisfied with the first half,” Flick added. “The players didn’t perform to our standard; the rhythm was too slow, and the passing lacked intensity.
“However, we secured three points, scored three goals, and maintained a clean sheet, making it a good day for us.
“I believe we will present a different team from the outset against Atlético. I expected better today, but as I know from experience, these things can happen with a packed schedule.”