He was Yamal before Yamal: tragic Barça talent bursts onto the scene | OneFootball

A few years before Lamine Yamal took the grand stage at Camp Nou and amazed the world, there was a winger at FC Barcelona who was predicted to have a similarly glorious future within a few months. At just 17 years old, Ansu Fati claimed the top spot in almost every forecast of who would be the next Messi.

The young Spaniard scored twice in his first three La Liga games and caused a stir with his winning goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League. According to 'transfermarkt.de', his market value was already at 80 million euros before his 18th birthday.

📸 Alex Caparros - 2019 Getty Images

After his sensational debut season, in which Fati scored eight times in 24 league games, the first major setback followed. Just nine matchdays into the following season, the winger suffered a meniscus tear and missed the rest of the season. The following year, the Spaniard was repeatedly forced to visit the team doctor and missed many matches due to injuries.

Although the now 22-year-old delivered another good season for the Catalans after his injuries, scoring 14 times across all competitions mostly as a substitute, Barça agreed with the young dribbler at the start of the 2023/24 season on a loan to Brighton.

But again, his body thwarted his plans. Shortly after his arrival, Fati had to pause almost half the season due to a calf injury. Because of this, he never really settled in Brighton. After his return to FC Barcelona, it became increasingly clear that such a brutal injury history could not leave a young player unscathed. The winger increasingly lacked consistency, and the highlights he used to deliver were missing. The signs for a great future were getting worse by the week.

📸 Steve Bardens - 2023 Getty Images

Finally, the club and player decided on another fresh start in the summer of 2025. Despite all the appreciation, Barcelona saw little perspective for the offensive player, so they agreed with AS Monaco on another loan. The club from the principality, known for providing a platform for young talents and reviving careers, gave Fati the chance to stabilize away from the enormous pressure in Barcelona.

And as is often the case with the Monegasques, it has been phenomenal so far. After his debut goal in the Champions League, Ansu Fati scored twice in his first Ligue 1 match against FC Metz, once again showing why he was so highly regarded in the past. "I want to forget the past and look to the future," said the skilled technician about his move to Monaco.

If he succeeds, Monaco will have a lot of fun with him. As AS coach Adi Hütter confirmed in an interview, Fati gets a calm environment on the Côte d'Azur where he can regain his former strength.

Tonight, they face FC Lorient, and next Wednesday, Monaco plays ManCity in the Champions League. After last week's Fati gala, one can be more than excited to look towards France and watch how a former super talent seeks - and hopefully finds - his way back to the top.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 VALERY HACHE - AFP or licensors