Xavi laments 'unfair' comments made by Barca prodigy's father

Stuart Telford

• 31 Mar 2023 20:46 BST
• 3 min read

Ansu Fati's father Bori recently said he was 'very angry' with Barcelona over his son's treatment, but the comments have not gone down well with Xavi and his staff according to reports in Spain.

Ansu is a La Masia academy graduate who has the ability to lift fans off their Camp Nou seats at his best, but he has endured a difficult comeback from a serious knee injury first sustained in November 2020.

Although now fit to play, the 20-year-old faces fierce competition from Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha and Ferran Torres for the right to line up either side of Robert Lewandowski in Xavi's preferred 4-3-3 system.

READ: Father of 'Lionel Messi's heir' launches savage attack on Barcelona

"I don't know why Xavi does not play Ansu," stormed Fati senior in an interview with COPE recently. "He must have his reasons. Ansu isn't disgusted with him, as Xavi was always his idol. But me, I'm very angry as a father."

However Xavi has played Ansu with increasing regularity of late, and although the player has since distanced himself from his father's words, the club are upset according to Sport.

Xavi 'disappointment'

"Bori Fati's words have caused some disappointment with Xavi and the rest of the of the coaching staff," reports Ferran Correas. "They believe it's unfair as they continue to believe in the player and have shown that in recent weeks with the chances they have given him in the absence of Lewandowski or Dembele."

READ: Fat chance: Barca must replace Ansu in Messi's iconic No.10 jersey

Indeed, Ansu has started six of the last 11 La Liga matches he has been available for, but has failed to record a single goal or assist in that time.

The winger is one of a number of players who will be available for transfer next summer. Barca have been told by La Liga to reduce their debt by €200m ahead of next season and Ansu is valued at €27.4m by FootballTransfers in-house algorithm.

As well as taking a €14m a year salary with him, Ansu's departure could also solve another problem for Barca - his No.10 jersey has reportedly been removed from the official club shop as it simply fails to sell.