London, 10 September 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Barcelona youngster Marc Bernal is facing a year on the sidelines after having surgery on a serious knee injury, the club have announced.

The 17-year-old has undergone a successful operation after suffering anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus damage in Barcelona’s La Liga victory at Rayo Vallecano last month.

Bernal was playing just his third game since making his first-team debut against Valencia earlier in August.

A Barcelona statement read: “The player Marc Bernal has undergone a successful surgical procedure on the injury to the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus in his left knee, carried out by Dr Joan Carles Monllau under the supervision of the club’s medical services at Barcelona Hospital. Recovery time is expected to be 12 months.”

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