KEY POINTS

  • Cristiano Ronaldo wishes Barcelona's Ansu Fati a speedy recovery
  • Fati is said to have responded well to the new treatment on his injured knee
  • Lionel Messi wants the Barca youngster to progress in the sport the same way he did

Cristiano Ronaldo wants nothing but the best for Barcelona’s potential Lionel Messi successor.

Apart from being famous for his incredible achievements, Ronaldo is also known for his ability to inspire the future generation.

In fact, in one of his recent Instagram stories, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner sent Barcelona youngster Ansu Fati a heartfelt message.

In the said post, Ronaldo wrote “Vamos [Ansu Fati]. Volveras pronto! Dale,” which generally implies “to go and come back soon.”

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Italy from Portugal as Serie A prepares for team training to resume
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Italy from Portugal as Serie A prepares for team training to resume AFP / Marco Bertorello

Fati is currently recovering from a knee injury he sustained in November. Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman earlier bared that the teenager’s return has been delayed due to some undisclosed “issues.”

“It’s true, it’s taken a bit longer than we expected in the beginning because he had some issues to start with and that was the reason that it’s taken a bit more time than we expected in the beginning,” Koeman said of Fati’s recovery last month.

“He’s now working well in the gym, in a few weeks he will start training outside,” he continued. “He's a young player, he needs to come back strong, and that's the most important thing. ”

However, things appeared to have gone better in the past few days for Fati. Apparently, the new course of treatment has been showing positive results, and the 18-year-old might not have to undergo another surgery if things continue as it is, Spanish outlet RAC1 reported.

Prior to his injury, Fati has been magnificent on the pitch, having notched four goals in his first seven matches this season.

Many believe that Fati could be the heir apparent to Barcelona captain Messi. During his first senior season with the Catalans, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner himself admitted that he wants the youngster to succeed the same way he did.

"I really like him and I try to help and support him. He’s an amazing player and he’s got what it takes to succeed,” Messi told FIFA.com of Fati last year. “But if I look at it through my eyes, I’d like them to bring him on gradually, like they did with me when I started, taking things nice and easy and without putting pressure on him. You have to remember that he’s only 16.”

“I hope he keeps on enjoying it and that all the fuss around him doesn’t have a negative impact on him because he has the quality to become one of the best,” the Argentine added.

Ansu Fati became the youngest player to score in the Champions League when he netted Barcelona's winner away to Inter
Ansu Fati became the youngest player to score in the Champions League when he netted Barcelona's winner away to Inter AFP / Isabella BONOTTO