Barcelona has announced that teenage striker, Ansu Fati will be out for four months after undergoing successful knee surgery. It was gathered that the operation was to repair a meniscus tear in his knee.
The Catalan club, which confirmed the development in a statement, had announced that the procedure will be carried out on Monday.
The 18-year-old Spanish international was forced off at half-time in Saturday’s 5-2 win against Real Betis. The surgery was done by Dr. Ramon Cugat at a clinic in Barcelona on Monday.
This means Fati won’t be able to play for Spain in the upcoming games against Switzerland, Netherlands and Germany, having been named in Luis Enrique’s squad last week. Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio has been called up as his replacement.
❤️ to join us in wishing Ansu a full and speedy recovery! pic.twitter.com/TkibF1PqE4
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 9, 2020
“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,” part of the club’s statement reads.
Fati has so far played 10 games for the Catalan team this term, scoring five goals and provided two assists.
It means Barca will have to wait till March next year to see the 18-year-old. The La Liga giant will continue their domestic league with a trip to unbeaten Atletico Madrid after the international break on Nov. 21.
Knee surgery is a setback for Fati who has already established himself at Barcelona
Will Fati be missed?, obviously yes. His contribution to the team’s attack has been enormous.
He won’t forget the year 2020 as the year of his breakthrough into the first team having played 49 games, scored 13 goals and assisted three with the team so far.
He continued from where he stopped last season under new manager, Ronald Koeman and has now become a mainstay in the squad.
He became Barca’s youngest ever scorer in La Liga, the youngest ever scorer in the Champions League and the youngest player to score for the Spain national team after making his debut during the 2019-20 season.
Fati’s absence would be softened by the return of Philippe Coutinho after the international break. The Brazilian missed Barca’s last four games due to a hamstring injury. He is line to return to action against Atletico.
Other attacking options at Koeman’s disposal include Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite.
