5 La Masia graduates who are at the heart of Barcelona's rebuild

#1 Ansu Fati

FC Barcelona v Dinamo Kiev: Group E - UEFA Champions League

The past two years have seen Ansu Fati's meteoric rise into the first team. The 19-year-old winger rose to prominence during the 2019-20 season when Ernesto Valverde subbed him on in a 5-2 win over Real Betis. In the forthcoming weeks, injuries to Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele led to Fati sealing a spot in the starting XI for Barcelona. He became the youngest goalscorer for Barcelona at the age of 16.

Breaking numerous records along the way, Fati became a household name in Barcelona and remarkably signed a contract with the first team next season.

Fati was just ten years old when he joined the academy and started playing for the youth teams, it only took him six years to reach the top and one could only imagine what lies ahead of him. Ansu Fati has predator-like instincts and seems to bag a goal every time he wants one. His best quality is his ability to score from half-chances.

Having played on the left wing ever since his debut, Fati is a natural dribbler and uses clever off-the-ball movements to stir things up. Despite not being one of the quickest players, Fati can change direction quickly and loves cutting inside.

In the youth teams, Ansu often played as a striker and in his first start for Spain against Ukraine in the Nations League, he did play a part of the game as a No. 9. He is immensely confident and rarely makes mistakes and. He was one of the few players with whom Messi trusted the ball. Fati is a natural goalscorer and it's on Xavi to utilize his abilities in the best way.

Ansu Fati bags the equalizer for Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Fati's time in the first team has been hindered by serious injuries. In November 2020, he suffered a meniscal tear in his left knee, which sidelined him for the rest of the season. He also missed the Euros and the Tokyo Olympics.

Fati returned in September 2021 and scored a goal in just under 10 minutes against Levante in La Liga. Unfortunately, Fati has since suffered successive hamstring injuries that have restricted him to the sidelines. In his 10 appearances for Blaugrana across competitions this season, Fati has scored five goals. He is expected to return by the end of March 2022.

After inheriting the No 10 from Messi, Ansu Fati has become a key player in the squad and the club look determined to build around him. The faith Barca has shown in him is immense, and along with Pedri, he has already signed a contract that extends to 2027 and includes a buyout clause of €1 billion.