Barcelona close to recovering their player after seven months out with a serious injury

Barça Atlètic have received positive news regarding the progress of attacking midfielder Juan Hernández, after the young player began touching the ball again, a new step in the final phase of his rehabilitation programme, as he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Hernández is 19 years old and was injured at the end of last April, before undergoing surgery to treat a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament.

The injury halted him during one of his best spells with Barcelona Atlètic. He had caught the eye with his distinguished performances and earned more than one opportunity to train with the first team under Hansi Flick.

For a player enjoying a standout season, it came as a heavy blow. He had scored 4 goals and provided 6 assists in 30 matches, becoming one of the most prominent figures in the reserve side's ranks.

That form prompted Barcelona's board to reward him, renewing his contract until 2028 with an option to extend for an additional season.

According to the Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo", the player has begun his recovery journey with a special training programme inside the gym at the Joan Gamper Sports City, before gradually moving on to training with the ball. The development reflects his good response to the various rehabilitation stages.

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Barcelona count Hernández among the talents central to their future project. He came through the club's youth teams and caught the eye with Barcelona Atlètic, the reserve side that competes in the Spanish fourth division, as well as earning opportunities to feature in the first-team squads under Flick last season.

The club had officially announced, on 23 April, that the player suffered a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee during a training session at the Sports City, confirming his need to undergo surgery.

For now, Barcelona do not want to rush his return to competition and risk any possible setback, despite around six and a half months having passed since the operation.

This positive news lands at an important time for Barcelona Atlètic, who are suffering from numerous absences. A number of their players have been called up to the national teams, and the injuries of Landry Farré and Guille Víctor prompted the team to request a postponement of their fixture against Girona B.

Winger Sama Noumoko is following a similar rehabilitation path, with expectations of his return to the pitch during next January.

Juan Hernández ranks among the most prominent rising attacking talents in the "La Masia" academy. He joined Barcelona in the summer of 2020 from the youth categories of Real Zaragoza, progressing through the club's teams until he reached Barcelona Atlètic.

The Spaniard can fill more than one attacking position. He is adept at playing in the playmaker role, can also feature on the wings and as an out-and-out striker, and relies in his style on individual skill and the ability to carry the ball forward and create chances.

Confident in the abilities of the player, who has turned out for Spain's youth categories, Barcelona's board renewed his contract in February 2026 until 30 June 2028, with an option to extend for an additional season, after deciding to officially promote him to the reserve side's ranks.

He has also previously appeared in the first-team squads, including the squad for the match against Slavia Prague in the Champions League. It is a sign that the technical staff are monitoring his development and the possibility of giving him a future opportunity with the senior side.