Spanish winger says “I’m sure I’ll find my moment again” after sealing loan move to the French side
When Fati made his senior debut at Barcelona in 2019, he wore the No 31 shirt. After finalising a loan move to AS Monaco, he has now chosen to wear the same shirt, as a symbol of a reset, a return to the beginning.
Once a boy wonder from La Masia touted as Lionel Messi’s heir and handed Barcelona’s iconic No 10 shirt, the Spanish winger has not come even close to living up to his potential, but he is willing to rebuild from the ground up.
“I don’t know, I’ve always tried to be as good as possible,” Fati said when asked why thing did not work out at Barcelona. “I believe in God, and in the end, what happens to me is something I can’t control, but I can minimise the risks, and that’s what I do.
“I try to work as hard as possible, to be as good as possible, and even if things don’t work out, I keep fighting, and I’m sure I’ll find my moment again and enjoy it again.”
A loan spell at Brighton in the 2023-24 season was supposed to provide minutes for the player to rediscover his form, but he was mostly hindered by injuries. He returned to Barcelona last summer, but only played six matches under Hansi Flick last season.
The club offered the player a contract extension to 2028 before loaning him to Monaco, but the French club have the option of making the move permanent.
“I’ll always be grateful to Barcelona,” said Fati. “I sincerely believe that changes are for the better. Of course, I’ll be here this season, but I’ll always be grateful to Barcelona.
“I had my experience at Brighton. Many think it was bad, but it was a great experience.
“I started well, then I got injured and lacked consistency. Hopefully things will be different here, and I can have continuity and be involved a lot if the manager sees fit.”
Fati revealed that he spoke to Yamal before heading to Monaco. Both players are La Masia products but Yamal is effectively developing into the player Fati could have been, and may in fact take over the latter’s No 10 shirt this summer.
“I spoke to him, We’re always together in Barcelona,” said Fati. “And I know he loves me very much and wishes me the best. It’s mutual, and the truth is, almost the entire team has wished me luck.
“They’re good people with whom I’ve been at La Masia for a long time. I wish them the best, and especially Lamine.”
