Barcelona midfield talent credits Flick for shaping his breakthrough season – ‘He changed my life’ | OneFootball

Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado has broken his silence following a challenging spell on the sidelines, speaking candidly with AS about his injury, mental battles, and his admiration for manager Hansi Flick.

The young La Masia product is on the brink of returning to action, although he admits that featuring in the upcoming clash against Real Madrid might be a step too soon.

Casado has been out for nearly two months after sustaining a serious knee injury following a tough tackle from Antoine Griezmann during a fixture at the Metropolitano.

Reflecting on this difficult period, the midfielder revealed how the setback deeply affected his mental state.

“I had almost never been injured before and suddenly I was out for what felt like forever. I missed the most important part of the season,” he said. “It leaves you crushed. You think you’re risking your career,” he began saying.

Casado has nothing but admiration for Flick. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The 21-year-old admitted that the injury consumed his thoughts completely. “I have only and exclusively thought about my knee all the time. I became obsessed.”

Praise for Hansi Flick

Now, however, the mood around Casado is one of cautious optimism. The midfielder has resumed training with the first team and is showing positive signs.

While the Clasico against Real Madrid may come too early, he could still feature in any of the final three La Liga matches, depending on how his recovery progresses.

Casado also spoke highly of Barcelona’s new head coach Hansi Flick, underlining the major role the German has played in his rise. “He has changed my life. He has made me go from the reserve team to the first team,” said Casado.

Despite the motivation to return, Casado remains cautious and responsible about his fitness. “The first thing is the knee,” he stressed, making it clear that he will not rush his return at the cost of aggravating the injury.

For Barcelona, Casado’s return comes at a key moment. With midfield depth stretched and a few games still to play, having a tenacious and technically sound player like him back in contention could prove crucial.