Ansu Fati dismissed suggestions that inheriting Lionel Messi’s number 10 shirt at Barcelona has brought additional expectations after committing his long-term future to the Catalan club.
Fati signed a new six-year contract to keep him at the club until 2027, with a release clause of €1billion included – a week after Pedri had penned a similar extension with the Blaugrana.
The Spain international burst onto the scene after making his debut in August 2019, becoming the club’s youngest ever LaLiga goalscorer at the age of 16 years and 304 days.
He is also the youngest scorer in Champions League history, after netting against Inter in December 2019 a minute after his introduction from the bench.
The 18-year-old inherited the number 10 shirt after the departure of Barça great Messi, who left on a free transfer for Paris Saint-Germain amid salary cap issues with LaLiga in August.
However, Fati insisted that no pressure comes with the famous shirt as he expressed his desire to succeed with his boyhood club after coming up through the La Masia academy.
“My dream has always been to succeed here and continue growing here, luckily I will continue to do so,” Fati told reporters on Thursday. “I’m going to work every day to improve as a person and as a player. I have not done anything yet, I must continue working, mark my path.
“I am very grateful to the club for having trusted me, along with the captains. It could have been worn by another player, but I’m grateful.
“I was ready because they are at Barça and at Barça you must be prepared for everything. Wearing the ’10’ is not a pressure, it is one more motivation, I will do the best I can.”
An almost year-long injury lay-off could have stunted the youngster’s development, but he has managed two goals in five appearances since returning in September.
He has registered 15 goals in 48 games for the LaLiga giants in total, a tally that is bettered only by Luis Suarez (21), Antoine Griezmann (35) and Messi (69) – none of whom are still at the club – since his senior debut.
But Fati explained his ambition to keep improving at Barça, who are preparing for a Clásico showdown against Real Madrid on Sunday.
“I have a lot of room for improvement, especially listening to people who can help you,” he continued. “I would like to improve everything, I have not done anything yet, with work.
“Playing a Clásico is a motivation, Madrid is our great rival. I know that the team is going to give everything for the victory.
“I trust the team, it is true that we have to improve as always. We are going to go out and compete and play at home, which is a factor in our favour.”
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