Ansu Fati is a young superstar on a mission.
Spain’s 4-0 triumph over Ukraine saw the Barcelona wonderkid become the youngest ever scorer for the Spanish national side at 17 years and 311 days, more than a year after recording the same feat at club level for Barcelona in August 2019 against Osasuna and in the UEFA Champions League, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the prestigious competition against Inter Milan (17 years, 40 days).
The 17-year-old will surely be breaking many more records for years to come, but at such a tender age, Fati is already capturing the imagination of many fans across Europe, not least his legendary predecessor.
It’s fascinating to note that Lionel Messi is a huge fan of the kid, and his decision to remain at Barcelona for the upcoming season may just be the correct one for both the club legend and Barcelona’s new superstar on the block.
Another year for Ansu Fati to progress and develop alongside one of the greatest players of all time and for Messi to spend another year helping shape and refine Fati’s superb abilities. It is surely the one thing the Argentine superstar is excited about, despite the ill-feelings he may be harbouring after the club’s failure to grant him his wishes to leave.
After nearly two weeks of headlines surrounding the future of Messi at Camp Nou were brought to an end after his exclusive interview with Goal, it was only poetic and fitting that Barca’s next big hope stole the show two days later on his full debut for his country.
For now though, Barcelona fans will be hoping and praying that Ansu Fati is a key part of new boss Ronald Koeman’s regime. He’s surely got to be after his performance against Ukraine. This is a player with such unerring and unique abilities, a timely reminder as to how Lionel Messi started out 16 years ago.
Fair enough, it isn’t the same climate where fans were close to the action, revelling at the sight of a future global superstar in Lionel Messi, incessantly bowing at the dancing feet of a little magician. Ansu Fati may not be performing under such dreamy conditions right now, but his performances continue to wow and excite at such epic proportions.
The silky tricks, the flicks, the aura in which he so effortlessly struts about the pitch bamboozling defenders is a sure sight to behold, and Ukraine’s right-back Oleksandr Tymchyk was another name on Fati’s potential long list of victims, another dot on a really bright and elusive canvas that is Fati’s short career so far.
It’s not just the tricks and flicks, and the superb goals that Fati has notched so far that has wowed many, but its the confidence and the bravery at which he performs to such elite standards. This is a 17-year-old setting the benchmark, setting the parameters for a potential illustrious career.
Few youngsters can excite at such grandeur levels, many shy away from the responsibilities and hide under their shells. But not Ansu Fati. The 17-year-old Spaniard has approached his new found responsibilities like a duck to water, showing that he’s not just got the natural talent and abilities to flourish but also the character, passion and drive to improve, to take on new horizons and his first full start for his country proved an invaluable exemplar for any of other young star hoping to break through.
Despite all the hype surrounding Ansu Fati – and it really is justifiable – it’s important to remember that he’s just 17 years of age and will be need to be provided with the room to make mistakes and the opportunity to learn from them and develop even further.
It says a lot about his extraordinary gifts that Barcelona are refusing to send him out on loan. He’s got much to offer the Barcelona first team, and his first year at the Camp Nou displays just why he’s entrusted with first team responsibilities. The pressure and high standards that is, performing for such an illustrious club really hasn’t fazed Ansu Fati and he can now take that forward.
There will be bumps in the road for the talented forward, however, and it is unclear whether Ronald Koeman would give him the opportunities he merits considering the pressures the Dutchman faces to clean house at his old club and to improve fortunes immediately. The club is in major need of surgery which is already slowing underway at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona are heading into a new era. A new era that will need to prepare for the inevitable departure of a true great, a club legend and a global icon, but also one that will usher in a new fresh and exciting superstar, one who goes by the name of Ansu Fati.
anthonyscouts.co.uk 
The boy scored a fantastic goal & maybe a great prospect… but its early days…
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