Barcelona have high hopes on 16-year-old La Masia talent, will be part of pre-season in summer

Despite going through a steep economic and sporting crisis, Barcelona have never failed to amaze, when it comes to producing and nurturing young talents.

Youngsters such as Pedri, Alejandro Balde, Gavi and Lamine Yamal have shone brightly in the Barcelona first team setup in recent years.

There are many more waiting on the wings, desperate for an opportunity to make an impression on the big stage. One of them is Marc Bernal.

Marc Bernal: The next great Barça talent?

A defensive midfielder by trade, Marc Bernal is a name currently on everyone’s lips at La Masia.

The 16-year-old whizkid has become a definitive fixture in Rafa Marquez’s Barça Atletic squad. He made the jump to the subsidiary squad directly from the Cadet side, not even playing for the Juvenil team.

Such is the talent Marc Bernal possesses. Earlier in the season, he notably became the youngest scorer in RFEF Primera’s history, when he netted a brace against Sestao River.

A defensive midfielder capable of moving forward and acting as a number six, Bernal has enormous potential. And Barcelona, too, have enormous plans for the youngster.

Deco is quietly monitoring the progress of Bernal (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Bernal to be a part of pre-season

According to Mundo Deportivo, Marc Bernal’s rapid growth has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona now planning to include the youngster in the club’s pre-season campaign.

That means young Bernal will have the opportunity to train with first-team juggernauts – experienced individuals such as Frenkie de Jong, Robert Lewandowski, and many others.

Many expect Bernal to follow in the footsteps of Balde, Gavi, and Yamal to become a regular fixture in the first-team.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has been monitoring Bernal’s progress in La Masia and is planning on having him in the first-team squad for pre-season. Ultimately, the hope within the club is for the 16-year-old to be the next top pivot at the club after Sergio Busquets.

But before that, the youngster must prove himself in the subsidiary squad and most importantly, make an impression in pre-season this summer.