Barcelona's Wonderkid, Who Is Tipped To Be Messi’s Successor, Is Out For 4 Months

FC Barcelona confirmed Monday that Ansu Fati, who is tipped to be Lionel Messi’s successor at the club, was ruled out for around four months after undergoing knee surgery.

"The first team player Ansu Fati has been operated on successfully by Dr. Ramon Cugat for the injury to the internal meniscus of his left knee under the supervision of the Club's medical staff. The player will be out for approximately four months," read Barcelona’s statement on their official website.

The 18-year-old Fati, who is expected to sit out for the majority of the remaining 2020-21 season, was forced off the field during Barcelona’s latest 5-2 win over Real Betis at Camp Nou. Fati, who was withdrawn at half-time, was replaced by Messi – who went on to score twice.

The other three goals were scored by Ousmane Dembele, who opened the scoring in the match, Antoine Griezmann, and 17-year-old Pedri, who scored a few minutes before the final whistle.

As per Barcelona’s statement, Fati has played a total of 596 minutes this season for the Spanish giants, in which he has managed to score five goals and provided four assists.

The teenage sensation has already shown glimpses of his potential, having made his first-team debut last season.

Since making his senior debut in August 2019, Fati has recorded and broken many records at both, club and international level. He is now Barcelona’s second-youngest debutant and goal-scorer in La Liga, the youngest player to do either in the Champions League for the Catalans, and the youngest ever player to net a brace in a La Liga game for any club.

Fati is expected to have a big role to play in Barcelona’s near future considering the uncertainty about Messi’s future at the Catalan club.

While there is no guarantee Messi would want to continue under Ronald Koeman, it is believed that Barcelona are trying to acquire the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s signatures on a new contract that would see Messi as a Barcelona player until the summer of 2024.

Barcelona have managed to secure only three wins from their opening seven league games and as a result, the Messi-led side is currently placed eighth in the table.