BARCELONA wonderkid Ansu Fati is out for up to FIVE months after having surgery on his knee.
The teenage winger, 18, suffered a ruptured internal meniscus in his left knee in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Real Betis.
Barcelona ace Ansu Fati is out for up to five months after undergoing knee surgeryCredit: Rex Features
Barcelona confirmed Fati would need to go under the knife to fix the problem.
And they have now revealed he will be out for up to five months following the surgery – although they hope to have him back sooner.
Fati only made his Barcelona debut last season but went on to score eight times in 33 games under Quique Setien.
He has since nailed down a regular starting spot with new boss Ronald Koeman, playing ten matches while netting five goals.
Fati became the youngest-ever player to score in El Clasico when he fired home in last month’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid.
He was already Barcelona’s youngest goalscorer in their history, as well as being their second youngest debutant at 16 years and 298 days.
And he became Spain’s youngest debutant in 84 years when he won his first cap against Germany in September, shortly before becoming their youngest goalscorer days later against Ukraine.
Nou Camp fans believe Fati can reach the very top, and stats prove he is already outscoring the legendary Lionel Messi at the same age.
Fati hurt himself in Saturday’s 5-2 win against Real BetisCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
Manchester United were linked with a stunning move for Fati over the summer, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly ready to meet his then-£154million release clause.
But Barca moved quickly to tie him down to a new contract, with Fati’s release clause soaring to an eye-watering £367m.
His injury is sure to deal a huge blow to Koeman’s upcoming plans, with Barcelona currently eighth in LaLiga after winning just three of their first seven games.
But Fati’s absence could see outcast Ousmane Dembele get another chance in the side.
He has just 18 months left on his contract and his future looks unclear after Barcelona also signed young wingers Francisco Trincao and Pedri over the summer.
But a run of games in the starting XI could see Dembele force his way back into Koeman’s long-term vision.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
