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Ansu Fati was once hailed as the next big thing at FC Barcelona — the heir to Lionel Messi’s throne. Wearing the iconic No. 10 shirt at just 18 years old, he was touted as the future of the club and Spain’s national team. Fast forward to 2025, and Fati finds himself on a season-long loan to AS Monaco, fighting to stay relevant.
What went wrong?
📉 A Career Derailed by Injuries
Fati exploded onto the scene in 2019, becoming Barcelona’s youngest-ever scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League. His early stats were impressive:
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | 33 | 8 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | 10 (injured) | 5 | 2 |
| 2021–22 | 15 | 6 | 1 |
However, a devastating knee injury in November 2020 sidelined him for nearly a full year. Subsequent muscular setbacks and recovery complications limited his impact. Since then, he’s never truly regained his explosiveness or consistency.
“Physically, he’s not the same. Psychologically, the pressure of No. 10 didn’t help either,” said one former La Masia coach.
🔁 The Loan Spiral: Brighton, Now Monaco
Fati spent the 2024–25 season on loan at Brighton in the Premier League, where he struggled for minutes and failed to make a lasting impression.
Now, Barcelona has arranged a second loan spell to AS Monaco, including:
- Contract extension with Barça before departure
- Loan with buy option (not obligation)
- Expectation to play regularly in Ligue 1 and European competition
Barcelona’s strategy mirrors its handling of other youth talents like Ander Astralaga, using loans to test whether players can meet the demands of elite football.
⚠️ Tactical Decline: What Changed?
| Attribute | 2019–20 Level | 2024–25 Level |
|---|---|---|
| Acceleration | Elite | Below average |
| Confidence | Sky-high | Inconsistent |
| Goal threat | Constant | Rare flashes |
| Minutes played | Increasing | Sporadic |
Several factors contributed to his dip:
- Loss of physical sharpness
- Overuse and early exposure
- Lack of a stable tactical role under multiple coaches (Koeman, Xavi, Flick)
🧠 What the Monaco Move Means
The move to Monaco is likely Fati’s last major audition. Monaco are building an ambitious squad including names like Paul Pogba and other dynamic players. If Fati fails to deliver here, Barcelona could accept his departure permanently.
🔗 Related Articles:
- Joan García: Barcelona’s Future Between the Posts
- Spotify Camp Nou Set for September Return
- Barcelona’s €60M Profit Without Levers
✅ Conclusion
Ansu Fati’s story is still being written — but time is running out. Barcelona is giving him one more shot, this time far from the Camp Nou spotlight. Whether he takes it or fades into obscurity depends on what he does next in Monaco.
