Bernal stays at Barcelona after Flick’s reassurance and Rodri joins
Marc Bernal, the 19‑year‑old Barcelona midfielder, revealed he was close to leaving the club during the summer when rumours linked him to Rodri, but Hansi Flick and the board convinced him he would still have a vital role, and he now embraces Rodri’s presence.
There was a point in the summer when Marc Bernal appeared closer to leaving Barcelona than staying, especially as links to Rodri grew strong.
At that point, Hansi Flick and the administration played a vital role in ensuring the player felt valued and was guaranteed an important role in the team, a promise they have kept.
Flick’s role in retaining Bernal
While Bernal may not be a starter, he has been a regular off‑the‑bench presence with important minutes as a second‑fiddle, and the club sees him as a long‑term prospect.
In a recent interview Bernal described his relationship with Hansi Flick as very good, calling the manager approachable and close to the players.
He said Flick often messages him personally, for example when he was injured or when he received a senior national‑team call‑up.
Bernal admitted a language barrier exists, noting he barely speaks English and Flick does not speak Spanish, so they rely on a translator for important discussions.
He added that he is working on improving his English despite a busy schedule.
Bernal also spoke about Rodri’s arrival, seeing it as both an opportunity to learn from the world‑cup‑winning defensive midfielder and a threat to his own playing time.
He said the club reassured him when Rodri joined, which meant a great deal to him.
Bernal noted he gets along well with Rodri, describing him as an easy person to get along with.
He watches Rodri closely, believing the veteran is a leader in the dressing‑room and a source of learning.
Although he finds it frustrating that Rodri’s presence reduces his minutes, Bernal reminded he is only 19 and has many years ahead.
He concluded that he does not obsess over playing time, having received reasonable minutes this season and handling the situation well.