Aged 16 & 57 days, has become Spain's youngest player & goalscorer. He became Barcelona's youngest player ever when he made his debut in April. He's started the last 3 games for Barcelona, and a couple of weeks ago got 'man' of the match in a game where he assisted 2 goals away at Villarreal Can you imagine what he's feeling right now? Joy? Pressure? Anxiety? Really hope they look after the lad - what a talent he appears to be.
Barcelona seemed to do okay with Messi, although he did have his family around him. Andres Iniestas' recollections of his time spent at La Maisa are an uncomfortable read though, and for whatever reason, they seem to have mismanaged the talent of Ansu Fati so far. I think Spain wanted to cap Lamine to ensure his eligibility for them, even though he has played at youth levels for Spain. To be fair, he didn't look out of place when he came on last night though.
I think Fati is due to playing young (obviously) and instantly slapping a huge, huge buyout clause in his contract which made headlines, which is weird because Barcelona do that regularly. I think that put a lot of eyes on him, and so alot of pressure followed, especially considering the scrutiny they're under with the finances, and barca are a shell of their former side, so he was perhaps a little glimmer of hope - and then came the constant injuries. I cant deny though, I'm super excited to see what Brighton can do for him and vice versa!
I think Barcelona are still getting over the Neymar transfer and the resulting fallout, hence huge buyout clauses. Although with the money coming out of the Saudi league at the moment, what fee would be considered prohibitive? £1BN, £1.5BN???
Hes just broken the record for youngest goalscorer in the league now too - incredible talent at such a tender age.
Wayne Rooney is another prime example of Greatness from such a young age and was a regular in the side at 16.
And both him - and Michael Owen/Robbie Fowler - were effectively finished by 30. At a top level, players have around 10-12 years maximum.
We ought to look at signing him on loan for a season to bring him on and get used to playing with the Misters. You never know, Barca could be so grateful they use us as a development team for their academy players !
Whilst I get where you are coming from. Rooney had 16 yrs at the highest level. Most greed league players now retire rather than see their careers out lower down the pyramid. Preferring to line their pockets in other parts of the world. (I don't put Rooney in that bracket tbh. Just the American club for a yr on hol) Gone are the days of Alan Clarke. Norman Hunter etc. That weren't set up for life in comparison.
