From Future Star To Forgotten Man: The Ansu Fati Story

Ansu Fati – what if. A Spanish youngster who was once tipped to be the next big thing in world football before fading out into the shadows at Barcelona.

Fati exploded onto the scene as a young winger – looking like the closest prospect that the Catalonia club had produced to Lionel Messi. A wide man, who chose to cut inside, could dribble past defenders and was composed in front of goal.

The winger made his debut in 2019 and broke countless records in his first season in La Liga before inheriting the legendary No. 10 shirt from Messi.

However, five years later – Fati is somewhat forgotten, sitting on the bench at the Camp Nou, but what happened?

Dream Debut Season

1️⃣6️⃣-year-old Ansu Fati is the youngest player to debut for @FCBarcelona since 1941 😱
⠀
What were you doing at 16 ⁉️🤨 pic.twitter.com/f43qpDnev3

— 433 (@433) August 25, 2019

In 2019, Barcelona were a team of stars. However, with players like Messi out with injury, the Spanish giants turned to the infamous La Masia academy for its next talent.

Just 16 years old at the time, Fati entered the Camp Nou pitch for the first time against Real Betis, impressing with his maturity and flair at a young age as the Catalonians picked up three points.

Fati had become the club’s second-youngest debutant, and the hype around his name continued to grow a week later as the wonderkid netted for the first time – heading a cross into the far corner to become Barcelona’s youngest goal-scorer.

Seven minutes into his first Barcelona start, Ansu Fati already has a goal and an assist.

He’s 16 ✨ pic.twitter.com/KJCNyvt8Qb

— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 14, 2019

A month later, Fati made his first professional start, replacing a recovering Luis Suarez as Valencia faced Barcelona. The 16-year-old was incredible, scoring and assisting in the first seven minutes as the Catalonian side dominated to win 5-2.

Fati had now become a household name in European football – a player to look out for. He was a 16-year-old who was brave and confident, picking up the ball and driving past defenders in phenomenal solo runs.

But the Spaniard’s record-breaking run had not yet finished as Fati came off the bench to score for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League against Inter Milan, becoming the youngest goal-scorer in Champions League history in an unprecedently phenomenal campaign for a teenager.

An Influx Of Injuries

Bad news for Barça as club statement reveal Ansu Fati “suffered a left knee contusion during training session” 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB

“Ansu Fati is out and his recovery will determine his availability”, Barcelona reports. pic.twitter.com/ykvJIYPoPl

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 24, 2023

However, for all that has been good in Fati’s career, injuries have been a constant, with the Spaniard’s first major injury came in November 2020 – Fati twisting his left knee awkwardly as Barcelona beat Real Betis.

Despite early predictions of the injury not being serious, Fati had suffered a torn meniscus. However, things went from bad to worse as Barcelona rushed the winger’s rehabilitation, inflating his knee and halting his recovery.

Two months later, in January 2021, Fati underwent another operation, and despite a more sensible rehab – his knee did not recover once again. Fati’s knee pain persisted, with the winger having to undergo a third surgery, but that proved ineffective as the wonderkid was ruled out for the rest of the 2020/21 season.

Barcelona confirm Ansu Fati suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee. pic.twitter.com/m6vhouDzcm

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 7, 2020

Fati seemingly solved his knee issue at the end of the 2021 season, having broken strands of his meniscus removed as the winger re-announced himself to the world: scoring goals in La Liga and signing a new long-term deal at the club.

However, Fati’s run in the side did not last long as the winger was constantly niggled with injuries, throughout 2022 and 2023.

Nightmare Spell In The Premier League

🚨Brighton have NO intention of bringing back Ansu Fati next season. #BHAFC @footballespana_ pic.twitter.com/Ggq5J5jDZV

— Owen (@owen_bhafc) April 5, 2024

Fati needed a change of scenery, and in the summer of 2023 – the winger moved on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion.

A move to the Seagulls was an opportunity to restart his career - impress in the Premier League and play for a team in Brighton, who had developed a reputation for improved young talent.

However, Fati’s move to the Amex Stadium turned out to be a nightmare, the Spaniard making 19 appearances in the Premier League – just three of those being starts.

Just four goals in Brighton goals for the Spaniard, and after early excitement – Fati did not set the world alight in the English top-flight, returning to Barcelona following the loan spell, and since Fati’s career has further declined, with the winger stuck on the bench.

Hope For Fati?

Ansu Fati is set to join Monaco from Barcelona on loan with the option to buy, according to Fabrizio Romano ✍️👀

Will Ansu Fati reach his potential in Ligue 1❓⭐ pic.twitter.com/ZpF29kuOEO

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) June 25, 2025

It's hard to say whether the decline in Fati’s career was purely down to a lack of game time, but as a young teen who broke onto the scene – the Spaniard needed experience to develop, and constant injuries did not help that.

In 2025, Fati looks set to sign for AS Monaco with a move to France offering the wonderkid an opportunity to recover his career - slightly out of the limelight.

However, when looking back on the 22 year old's early career, it is clear to see that a number of recovering injuries and a poor loan spell to Brighton were the reasons for Ansu Fati's disappearance from football stardom.