Barcelona has rejected the request from the Spanish Football Federation to inquire about the possibility of young midfielder Marc Bernal participating in the Youth World Cup scheduled for this fall, firmly closing the door on the idea of the player joining the youth national team.

The club's decision came after a cautious technical and medical assessment of the player's condition, as the management deemed that involving Bernal in intense international competitions after a long absence could expose him to the risk of relapse or physical and technical pressure that does not suit his current rehabilitation stage.

Bernal had suffered a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee along with a related injury to the outer meniscus, and this situation was announced in late summer 2024. He underwent surgery followed by a lengthy rehabilitation program that kept him off the pitch for nearly a whole year.

Barcelona confirms that the priority now is to gradually reintegrate Marc Bernal with the first team and to safeguard his long-term future at the club rather than risk involving him in the Youth World Cup taking place from September 27 to October 19, 2025.