Ansu Fati’s time is up. Once the heir to Messi, he’s now a peripheral figure. Despite early promise, injuries and inconsistency have ruined his career. Jorge Mendes is meeting with Barca’s top brass. The writing is on the wall. But can Fati turn it around, or is this it?
The Rise and Fall of a Prodigy
Fati’s debut was electric in 2019. At 16, he was Barca’s youngest La Liga goalscorer. By 2020, he was wearing the No. 10 shirt. The expectations were through the roof. But since then it’s all gone wrong.
Injuries have been his biggest enemy. A devastating knee injury in November 2020 kept him out for nearly a year. Since returning, he’s never been the same.
His numbers tell the story: 7 goals and 3 assists in 36 La Liga games (FBRef) in the 2022-23 season. Compare that to his 2019-20 breakout season, where he scored 7 goals in 24 games at 17. His minutes have decreased, and his impact has fizzled.
The Brighton Loan & Hansi Flick’s Hope
A loan to Brighton in 2023-24 was supposed to reboot his career. But Fati struggled with fitness and form, made 11 Premier League appearances , and scored 2 goals. Roberto De Zerbi didn’t see him as a key player, and his role disappeared.
Upon returning to Barca, Hansi Flick gave him a lifeline. He spoke highly of Fati’s talent,
“I have a lot of appreciation for him… he has great qualities.”
But words mean nothing when you’re warming the bench. Since January 4th, Fati has played 0 minutes for Barca. And he wasn’t even included in the squad for 9 of the last 14 games (Mundo Deportivo).
Jorge Mendes’ Meeting—The Final Nail? Mendes, who also reps Lamine Yamal, met with Joan Laporta and Barca’s top brass in Lisbon. But when asked about Fati, he answered: “We haven’t talked about Ansu Fati, but he needs to play.” That sounds like an agent preparing the ground for the exit.
Barca still has financial problems and may see selling Fati as a necessity. His market value has dropped from €80m in 2021 to €25m today . But will anyone take a chance on a player who’s lost his spark?
What Next for Ansu Fati?
If Fati wants to reboot his career, he needs to play regularly. A move away from Barca might be his best option. A return to the Premier League? A fresh start in Serie A? His talent is undeniable, but his future at Camp Nou looks grim.
The once shining star of La Masia now faces a make-or-break moment. Will he find his form again, or is he destined to be another what could have been?
