Internal competition at Barcelona is more alive than ever; the emergence of young talents has exposed a reality that some prefer to ignore: nobody has a guaranteed spot. This time, the one who has spoken up is Marc Bernal, one of the gems from the culé academy. He has surprised everyone with strong statements about Frenkie de Jong's situation.
The young midfielder has been clear and direct: "I'm at Barça, what did you expect? Competition is healthy for the club." With this statement, Bernal not only makes his commitment to the project clear, but also his vision of what it means to be at a club like Barça. For him, sharing a locker room with names like Gavi, Pedri, Marc Casadó, or Frenkie himself is not a source of pressure, but of motivation.
In an environment where many young players might feel overshadowed by the big stars, Bernal has shown personality and maturity. Far from feeling intimidated by De Jong, the academy product understands that Barça demands the most from all its players. Whoever doesn't accept this is simply out of place.
Bernal stands up for himself
The Catalan midfielder has taken advantage of his current moment to stand up for something that many in the blaugrana environment think, but not everyone dares to say out loud. Frenkie de Jong's presence has been a topic of debate for several seasons. His performance has been inconsistent, and his constant injuries have opened the door to a reflection that is gaining strength: does he deserve to remain untouchable?
Marc Bernal hasn't said it directly, but his message hints at some criticism. When he talks about "natural" competition and accepting his role, he sends an indirect message to those who might feel above the rest just because of their name or career. In other words, the academy product defends pure meritocracy within the culé locker room.
Despite the interest of several European giants, such as Roma, Betis, Manchester United, or Arsenal, the player is convinced he will succeed at Barça.
Future hanging in the air for the Dutchman
Moreover, his words come at a key moment, with Hansi Flick, all players start from scratch. The German coach is known for not favoring anyone and for prioritizing current performance over past achievements. This could be a golden opportunity for players like Bernal, who are willing to show their value through humility and daily work.
Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong's future remains hanging in the air, voices like Marc Bernal's are starting to resonate strongly at Barça's training ground. The young player has shown not only quality on the field, but also character off it. That, at a club like Barça, is valued as much as talent with the ball.
The message is clear: nobody has a guaranteed spot, not even Frenkie; if he's not willing to accept competition, maybe it's time to step aside. Because while some settle, others like Bernal are ready to take over.