FC Barcelona regained the lead in LaLiga EA Sports with a resounding and well-deserved victory against Levante UD at the Spotify Camp Nou, corresponding to matchday 25 of the 2025/2026 season. The Barça team won by a clear 3-0, with goals from Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López, in a match where they dominated from start to finish and took advantage of Real Madrid’s previous setback to return to the top of the standings.

The match, played on Sunday, February 22, 2026, began with Barcelona very intense from the opening whistle. Just in the 4th minute, young midfielder Marc Bernal opened the scoring with an early goal that calmed things down in the culé fiefdom. Bernal, who has been gaining prominence in the midfield under the orders of Hansi Flick, took advantage of a good cross from the wing to beat the Levante goalkeeper and make it 1-0.

This goal reflected the solidity and confidence that the team has regained in recent weeks, especially at home, where it has not lost for months.

Shortly after, at approximately minute 32,Frenkie de JongHe extended the lead with a goal he had been waiting for for a long time. The Dutchman, who had not scored in more than a year in official competitions, appeared in the area to head in a precise cross and make it 2-0. It was an emotional moment for De Jong, who has been a key player in the team’s recovery, providing balance, ball delivery and now also a goal. His celebration was contained, but the Camp Nou roared loudly when they saw the Dutch pivot find the net again.

The match maintained a high pace, although Levante, despite its position at the bottom of the table, tried to resist and generate some dangerous approach. However, the Blaugrana defense, led by a well-organized line and with Joan García in goal providing security, did not concede clear chances. The visiting team showed order, but lacked offensive punch against a Barça that controlled possession and generated constant danger.

The finishing touch came in the 80th minute, whenFermin LopezHe sealed the match with a real great goal. The Andalusian midfielder, increasingly established as the undisputed starter, received in three quarters of the field, cut inwards and unleashed a powerful and placed left foot shot that slipped into the top corner. It was his ninth goal of the season (counting all competitions), demonstrating his scoring instinct and his ability to appear in decisive moments. Fermín’s celebration was explosive, with a race towards the stands and a gesture of madness that infected the entire stadium.

With this result, Barcelona has 61 points after 25 games (20 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses), surpassing Real Madrid and returning to first place in the table. Levante, for its part, remains with 18 points and remains in the relegation zone, with 4 wins, 6 draws and 15 losses.

The big surprise in the locker room

But the most talked about after the final whistle was not just the score or the goals, but what happened in the locker room. Hansi Flick, known for his closeness with the players and his direct way of communicating, gathered the team to congratulate them on their collective performance. However, he surprised everyone by passing by figures like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha – who had had a good performance, with key participations in the offensive plays – and heading directly towardsMarc Bernal.

The German coach, with a satisfied smile and a firm tone, looked at the young 18-year-old midfielder and said: “At this level, you will never return to the bench… what an incredible player you are!” The phrase resonated in the locker room and quickly spread among those present. Bernal, who came on as a starter and opened the scoring with a key goal, was left speechless by the coach’s public praise.

Flick, who has bet heavily on the youth team this season, recognized the exponential growth of the player trained at La Masia, his tactical intelligence, his ability to recover balls and his scoring instinct in second line plays.

This gesture from Flick was not only an individual recognition, but a clear message to the group: merit is rewarded regardless of name or fame. While Yamal and Raphinha have grabbed headlines for their excess and creativity, Bernal represents solidity and the future in midfield, an area where Barça has found balance with the Bernal-De Jong duo. The German has transformed Bernal from promise to reality, giving him constant minutes and absolute confidence.

Post-match statements

At the press conference, Hansi Flick was satisfied but cautious: “It was a good response from the team. We played at home, we regained the lead and that is important, but there is a lot of season left. The team has worked well defensively and we have been effective up front. “Marc Bernal and Frenkie have been exceptional in the middle, and Fermín with that great goal gave us peace of mind.”

About Bernal, Flick added: «He is a boy with a lot of talent and personality. Today he showed why I trust him so much. “If he continues like this, it will be very difficult to remove him from the eleven.”

The team captain also valued the victory: «It was key to win and get back to the top. Levante defended well, but we knew how to find the spaces. Now, let’s think about the next game.”

What’s coming for Barça

With the leadership regained, Barcelona looks optimistically at the coming days. Flick’s team has shown a more mature version, combining youth (Yamal, Bernal, Fermín) with experience (De Jong, Lewandowski if he enters, Pedri in his progressive return). Defensive solidity and offensive effectiveness are the keys to this resurgence.

The next challenge will be to maintain this streak in a demanding schedule, with duels against direct rivals and European competitions on the horizon. For now, the culé fans celebrate not only the victory, but also Flick’s message: in this Barça, young talent has a permanent place when it responds on the field.

The locker room, witness to that historic phrase from Flick to Bernal, knows that the path to the title involves recognizing and empowering all those who contribute. Visit Barça! And congratulations to Marc Bernal, the unexpected star who has earned the coach’s praise.