The Swedish winger was one of the players who livened up Barcelona's attack after the break in the 2-2 draw, which Birmingham went on to win on penalties, contributing pace, dribbling and end product during a spell that coincided with Hansi Flick's side's best offensive moments.
Bardghji had two shots on target, completed 87% of his passes (31 of 36), won two of his dribbling attempts and made three recoveries against 12 balls lost, a busy cameo that underlined the qualities Barcelona's sporting department still believe in.
Bardghji's situation is one sporting director Deco must resolve before the window closes, with the club convinced his talent is real and that signing him was not a mistake, but with competition on the wings intense and new arrival Karim Adeyemi - who started against Birmingham - squeezing his opportunities close to zero.
The friendly doubled as a showcase for the 20-year-old, who did not score or assist and missed his penalty in the shootout, but still offered glimpses of his quality: pace, one-on-one ability and a knack for breaking defensive lines. What he lacks is regular football and a sense of importance within a team, something he is unlikely to find at Barcelona given the depth of options ahead of him.
The club's sporting management accept he needs consistent minutes to keep developing and believe a move away is now the best path for his career, though Deco is keen to retain some form of control over his future, whether through a sale with a buy-back option, a percentage of any future transfer, or a loan deal. Interest in Bardghji, sources close to the club say, is not in short supply.
Bardghji arrived at Barcelona from Copenhagen with considerable fanfare, having scored the winning goal against Manchester United in the Champions League at just 17, but his first season in Catalonia was disrupted by the anterior cruciate ligament injury that had already limited his final months in Denmark.
Since returning to fitness, he has struggled to force his way past more established options on the flanks, and this pre-season tour of England appears to have crystallised the club's thinking: that his long-term development is better served elsewhere.