The young Barcelona midfielder has enjoyed a strong end to the campaign and could yet receive the biggest reward of his career in the coming days. With the Spanish national team preparing to announce its final squad for the upcoming World Cup, Bernal remains in contention. The teenager is part of the extended shortlist prepared by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, and despite fierce competition, the midfielder is refusing to lose hope.
It is the end of an era for Football Focus. The longest-running football magazine show in the world comes to an end this Sunday after 52 years. Launched in 1974, Football Focus has provided fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game every lunchtime before the weekend's fixtures begin.
“The operation has gone very well, and I'm already thinking about getting stronger physically and mentally.” The Barcelona midfielder sent a reassuring message after undergoing surgery on the fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot, signaling confidence in his recovery and a focus on both physical and mental improvement despite the setback.
Fans will need a subscription to watch the finals of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League after TNT Sports decided against making them free-to-air. It will be the first time since the Champions League was launched in 1992 that supporters have had to pay to watch it. The three showpiece events will all feature English clubs. Aston Villa meet Freiburg in the Europa League on Wednesday (20:00 BST), before Crystal Palace face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League on 27 May (20:00 BST) and Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on 30 May (17:00 BST).
“To have all these stories be told to me and sent to me for just a few weeks, kind of an outpouring was incredible. You know, your dad is one thing to you and then to all these other people he was something else. I think sport is really amazing in these moments, football was incredible and comforting. As a family we took a lot of comfort from that.”