International Players

The record with which Ansu Fati surpassed Lionel Messi on his debut with the 10 of Barcelona

By Elijah Odetokun

Barcelona's new number 10 Ansu Fati scored in his first match with the famous jersey, better than Lionel Messi who scored in his second game as number 10.
 

Barcelona's new number 10 Ansu Fati scored in his first match with the famous jersey, better than Lionel Messi who scored in his second game as number 10.  

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Barcelona's teenage forward Ansu Fati was bestowed with Lionel Messi's number 10 jersey after the departure of the Argentine. Though there were many calls for the number to be retired, one of which was from a former number 10 who handed it over to Messi, Ronaldinho. Fati who was just returning from injury having missed the last 323days after multiple surgeries came on with 10minutes to go against Levante with the scores at 2-0 and right at the stroke of 90 minutes scored a well taken goal from outside the area and Camp Nou erupted in joy for the young man.

 

What Messi's record did Fati break?

Ansu Fati formerly wore the number 31 jersey since he was promoted to the senior team of Barcelona after impressive performances in the Barcelona B team. After Messi's shock departure last month, no one was befitting of taking the jersey than the player who has shown he could step into the big responsibility left by the six time world footballer of the year Lionel Messi. Fati needed only 10minutes to score with the jersey, surpassing Lionel Messi who scored in his second game with the jersey he collected from Ronaldinho after the Brazilian's departure in 2008.

 

Why did Barcelona not retire Lionel Messi's jersey?

Though it is not a must but as a sign of respect to an iconic figure a player is at a club, clubs sometimes retire the jersey numbers of some great players. If there's a player who deserves all the honour of having his iconic jersey number retired, it is Lionel Messi, but his number could not be retired because of a certain La Liga rule, bear it in mind a certain La Liga rule forced him out of the club. The rule which prevented his jersey from being retired states that the first team players of any Spanish club must wear between number 1-25, if the number will be retired, it means Barcelona will only be able to register 24 first team players. Barcelona had no other choice than to give the number to a befitting successor, Ansu Fati.

 

Ansu Fati at Barcelona so far: how many games, goals and days missed due to injury?

Ansu Fati made his first team debut on August 25, 2019 against Real Betis and has played 44 games for the first team of Barcelona and has scored 14 goals and provided 5 assists. His recent injury, a meniscal laceration forced him to miss 323days and 51 games.

 

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