Anssumane Fati is beginning a new chapter in his career this time in Ligue 1 with AS Monaco, after failing to establish himself in FC Barcelona first team. A product of La Masia and once hailed as Barça great hope, the young forward now looks to relaunch his career away from the Camp Nou spotlight.

A Fresh Start to Revive His Career

Fati leaves behind a cycle at Barcelona in which he made 123 appearances, scoring 29 goals and providing 10 assistssince his 2019 debut. Back then, he dazzled with his speed, flair, and fearless one-on-one play, sparking enormous expectations. But his promising rise was derailed by a serious meniscus tear in his left knee, suffered on November 7, 2020 an injury that sidelined him for nearly a year and significantly altered his trajectory.

From Prodigy to Unfulfilled Promise

Ansu made his official debut on August 25, 2019, under manager Ernesto Valverde, at just 16 years old. He quickly made his mark scoring three goals and providing one assist in his first seven matches. His confidence and attacking flair made him an unexpected fan favorite and a new symbol of La Masia golden touch.

In his debut season (2019–20), Fati played 33 matches and scored 8 goals, showing tactical maturity and an eye for goal rare for someone his age. Then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu quickly moved to secure his future, renewing his contract with a $470 million release clause.

He broke several records: the youngest Barça goalscorer in La Liga (against Osasuna at 16 years and 304 days) and the youngest scorer at the Camp Nou in an official match. Later that year, he became the youngest player to score in the Champions League, netting against Inter Milan at San Siro at just 17 years and 40 days a record he still holds.

The Injury That Changed Everything

That fateful injury in 2020 came just as Fati had scored 7 goals in 10 games. What was supposed to be a routine operation turned into a nightmare of multiple surgeries and setbacks, keeping him off the pitch for nearly 12 months.

By the time he returned in September 2021, Barcelona was in a state of crisis—Messi was gone, and young players like Fati and Pedri were suddenly expected to carry the team. The club even handed Ansu the iconic No. 10 jersey, a symbolic gesture that came with enormous pressure. But the injuries kept piling up, and he managed just 15 games and 6 goals that season.

Moments of Brilliance, But Doubts Remained

Fati continued to show glimpses of his talent scoring key goals and delivering the occasional strong performance but something was missing. His explosiveness, dribbling, and attacking fearlessness seemed diminished. At times, he appeared hesitant, as if still unsure of his physical limits.

In the 2022–23 season, he saw more action, appearing in 51 matches, though mostly off the bench. Xavi Hernándezused him as an impact sub, and while he scored 10 goals, he never reclaimed a consistent starting role.

The rise of Lamine Yamal, the steady form of Raphinha, and the improvement of Ferran Torres pushed Ansu further down the pecking order. In the summer of 2023, the club opted to send him on loan to Brighton in the Premier League. His stint in England was modest: 4 goals and 1 assist in 27 matches.

A New Chance in Monaco

This season, Ansu failed to gain the trust of new Barça manager Hansi Flick, making just 11 appearances and failing to score. With limited playing time and minimal impact, the club has opted to send him out on loan once again this time to AS Monaco.

The move to Monaco represents a fresh opportunity. In a less pressurized environment and with more room to grow, Ansu Fati now has a chance to rebuild. Ligue 1 could provide the stage he needs to rediscover the form and confidence that once made him one of Europe’s brightest young stars. Whether this new chapter will spark his long-awaited resurgence remains to be seen.