Overview

• Multiple reports say the 18-year-old midfielder is expected to be named in the Barcelona squad for Saturday’s match at Estadi Johan Cruyff, with any minutes a manager’s decision.
• Bernal suffered a cruciate ligament injury three games into his first-team breakthrough last season and has been out for more than a year.
• Coaching staff have signed off on his availability after he completed preseason with the first team, with a phased return mapped out.
• Barcelona registered him as a senior player this summer, while a publicly announced renewal is still pending as reports cite salary-limit factors; his agency has said a 2029 deal with a €500m clause is agreed.
• Saudi club Al-Nassr have been linked with interest, but reporting indicates Bernal and Barcelona are not considering a move and the player has ignored other offers to focus on his comeback.