"I felt that everything I did at Barcelona was not valued"

On 1st September last year, Brighton & Hove Albion announced that they had reached an agreement with Barcelona for the loan signing of Ansu Fati. The young 'La Masia' star had seen his rise to the top flight cut short by a series of injuries that forced him to undergo surgery, so he gradually lost his place in the Barcelona line-up. In the Premier League, he hasn't shone much either, making just nine starts out of 27, but he is keen to shine again in Spain.

"I decided to take a step in my career that I felt I had to take. I felt that everything I was doing was not valued and, for that reason, I decided to change teams. It was the right thing for me. I've followed Barca from a distance, but I can't tell you if my goals have been missing. I always wish the best for the club and the team," he told 'Mundo Deportivo', when asked if Xavi Hernandez's team might have missed his goals this season.

Speaking about the coach he will soon be working under, Hansi Flick, he said: "I had the opportunity to meet him in Brighton, he came to visit the club one day. I was able to meet him, greet him and shake his hand. I wish him all the best. He's coming to the best club in the world and I'm sure he's going to do very well. What can I offer him? I'm a youth player, I've been at the club for many years and, for me, playing for Barca is my greatest dream", he added.

‘Right now, I'm at 100%. I'm working hard because I feel that there is always room for improvement. I spend a lot of hours in the gym. Some people think that Ansu lives with injuries and, in the end, I spent two years without injury. I've had one small injury and people take that for granted. Last year, I played the whole season and didn't miss a single game. Not having the continuity you want makes it difficult, but I was ready and I fought until the last moment," he added, reflecting on his physical condition.

Focusing on an analysis of the Premier League, he added: "It's a very intense league, very demanding. Any team can beat you in every game. I have learned a lot of things from my team-mates and from the club. It was the first time I left Spain and it was a very nice experience. I take a lot of things with me and I also highlight the Premier League, which I found very interesting because it is one of the best in the world.

"What are my hopes? The same as always. Since I arrived here when I was ten years old, my dream has been to succeed at Barca. These last few years have not been easy, but they are part of football. I'm 21 years old and I have to keep growing, but I have the illusion of being able to return all the affection I receive from the ‘Cules’. Every day, in the street, I meet people who encourage me and continue to love me here. That gives me motivation and drives me to keep fighting for this club and to give the best of myself", he also said.

 

June 3, 2024