Barcelona Atlètic attacking midfielder Juan Hernández has begun touching the ball again as he enters a new stage in the final phase of his rehabilitation from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The progress is positive news for the 19-year-old.
Recovery moves to ball work
According to Mundo Deportivo, Hernández began his recovery with a special training programme in the gym at the Joan Gamper facility before gradually moving on to work with the ball.
Mundo Deportivo says the gradual move to ball work is a sign of how well Hernández is responding to the various stages of rehabilitation. Around six and a half months have passed since his operation.
Barcelona have no desire to rush Hernández’s return and risk a possible setback.
Injury and surgery
Hernández suffered the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at the end of last April. On 23 April, Barcelona officially announced that he had suffered the injury during a training session at the sports city and confirmed that he needed surgery.
Barcelona said Hernández underwent surgery to repair the tear in his anterior cruciate ligament.
Form before the injury and contract
Before his injury, Hernández had scored 4 goals and provided 6 assists in 30 matches for Barcelona Atlètic. He was considered one of the standout members of the team.
He earned more than one chance to train with Barcelona’s first team under Hansi Flick before his injury, and appeared in Barcelona’s first-team squads, including the squad for the Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague.
Barcelona’s management renewed Hernández’s contract until 2028, with an option to extend for an additional season. Barcelona said the renewal came in February 2026 after the club decided to officially promote him to the reserve side.
Team absences and development
Barcelona Atlètic are struggling with a long list of absences, while several players have been called up by their national teams. Injuries to Landry Farré and Guille Víctor pushed the team to request the postponement of its fixture against Girona B.
Winger Sama Noumoko is following a similar rehabilitation path to Hernández, with his return to the pitch expected during next January.
Hernández is described as one of the brightest rising attacking talents in the La Masia academy. He joined Barcelona in the summer of 2020 from the youth ranks of Real Zaragoza and worked his way up through Barcelona’s teams until he reached Barcelona Atlètic.
Barcelona Atlètic is the reserve team that competes in the Spanish fourth division. Hernández is a Spain youth international, while Barcelona’s coaching staff are tracking his development and weighing up a future opportunity with the senior side.
Hernández can operate as a playmaker, feature on the wings or lead the line as an out-and-out striker. His game is described as being built on individual skill, the ability to drive forward with the ball and a knack for creating chances.
