Barcelona have confirmed they expect teenage forward Ansu Fati to be sidelined for around four months following successful surgery on his left knee.
Fati, who turned 18 last month, started Saturday’s La Liga clash with Real Betis in place of Lionel Messi but did not return for the second half with a medial meniscus tear. suffered from
Fati suffered a meniscus tear against Real Betis/Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Now he has gone under the knife of respected surgeon Dr. Ramon Kogut. The operation went well and Fati’s estimated recovery time could see him back in action for Barcelona in mid-March. The player will remain under the supervision of Camp Nou medical staff during his recovery.
Following the departure of Luis Suarez and a frontline reshuffle, Fati has started eight of Barcelona’s 10 games in La Liga and the Champions League so far this season. He has also appeared from the bench in the other two.
Fati has a total of nine combined goals and that name helps overall. Only Messi (6) has scored more than his five goals, while the duo jointly lead the Barca squad with four assists. Fati has notably registered an assist in all three Champions League group games this season.
So his absence is a big blow for coach Ronald Koeman and the rest of the team. Barcelona are already struggling in La Liga and are eighth in the standings after winning just three of their opening seven games. Victory over Betis ended a run of four La Liga games without a win.
Despite his young age, Fatty has already made 43 senior appearances for the Catalans since his debut aged just 16 in August 2019 when he became the club’s second-youngest debutant.
After being granted Spanish citizenship in 2019, Fati made his senior Spain debut at the age of 17 in September and scored his first goal for La Roja three days later.
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