Ansu Fati’s father lashes out at Barcelona over lack of chances, fuels exit speculation

Ansu Fati’s father has taken aim at Barcelona over his son’s lack of playing time and says he wants him to succeed elsewhere.

Fati was cited as the heir to Lionel Messi’s throne following the Argentine’s departure, and the expectations also grew after he inherited the No 10 shirt.

However, a string of injury problems hampered his progress, and he currently looks the shadow of his former self.

Fati has fallen down the pecking order under Xavi this season, struggling to recapture his best form.

Out of 24 appearances in La Liga, the 20-year-old has been in the starting XI only nine times with a return of three goals and three assists.

There has been constant speculation about the future of the La Masia graduate, with Europe’s top clubs keeping tabs on his current situation at Camp Nou.

Bori Fati has now laid into the Blaugrana for his son’s decline, stating that the Spanish prodigy deserves more trust.

In an interview with COPE, he said: “I tell them that we deserve much more. Ansu when he plays before getting injured, there were Messi, Suárez, Dembélé, Griezmann.

“Mateu Alemany always tells the truth and tells me that he has always loved Ansu. It bothers me that they give him a minute, two minutes or three minutes. 

“The forwards that are there are phenomenal, but we are talking about Ansu Fati, from the Spanish national team – he is not just any boy.

“He’s a boy who left La Masía. If you don’t give him that, what are you going to give him? Ansu deserves much more – we’re talking about Barcelona’s 10.”

Fati’s father also didn’t rule out an exit from Camp Nou, although the Barca academy star thinks otherwise.

“When I sat down with Jorge Mendes (his representative), the first thing he told me was that Ansu wants to stay and will continue playing for Barcelona,” he added.

“But I, as a father, thought otherwise, and Ansu doesn’t agree with that. For Ansu, yes, I think he would stay. He has a contract, although it depends on what Barça thinks.

“But if it’s for me, I want to see Ansu succeed because he’s a guy who comes to succeed.”

Barca could be forced to sell Fati this summer to reduce their bloated wage bill and comply with La Liga’s Financial Fair Play regulations.