On Tuesday evening, FC Barcelona moved one step closer to securing the La Liga title for the 2024/2025 season following a hard-fought 1-0 win against Real Club Deportivo Mallorca. The match took place at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium and was characterized by a tense and narrow scoreline that reflected the tightly contested nature of the game.
Perhaps the most unexpected development before the game even kicked off was the announcement of the starting lineup. Raphinha, who is typically a fixture in the first eleven, was surprisingly left on the bench. In his place, manager Hansi Flick gave Ansu Fati his first starting opportunity since October—an unexpected decision that sparked immediate conversation among fans and commentators. However, by the end of the match, Fati had silenced critics and earned widespread praise for his performance.
Ansu Fati, a graduate of Barcelona’s prestigious youth academy, La Masia, was once seen as the natural successor to Lionel Messi. Despite this early promise, his career trajectory has been disrupted by frequent injuries and shifts in team tactics that limited his playing time. Prior to this match, Fati had made only 10 appearances during the season, and just five of those were in league matches. Tuesday’s game therefore represented a rare and significant chance for him to prove himself—and he certainly rose to the occasion.
Although he was only on the pitch for just over an hour, Fati’s impact was undeniable. His movement, awareness, and energy reignited confidence in his potential. The footballing world took notice, with fans flooding social media with excitement over his display.
One supporter enthusiastically commented, “Fati was fantastic today. For someone who hasn’t had much game time recently, he looked incredibly sharp. He should definitely start the next match against Real Valladolid.” Another fan offered a more technical analysis, writing, “Fati’s associative intelligence is off the charts. His ability to read the game, interpret space and time, and anticipate complex passing patterns is remarkable. In a different timeline—especially under Flick’s system that emphasizes central play—he would be a top-tier player.”
Fati’s impressive outing may have given coach Flick something to consider, especially as Barcelona prepares for a demanding stretch of fixtures that includes the Copa del Rey final and important Champions League matches. It remains to be seen whether this performance is the beginning of a true comeback or simply a single moment of brilliance. Regardless, Barcelona fans were reminded of the immense talent that still exists in this young player.
One particularly thoughtful fan added a note of cautious hope: “Those 60 minutes from Ansu Fati were outstanding. I’m hesitant to let myself believe too much again, but he really impressed me. He brings so much creativity and intelligence to the pitch—his awareness in tight spaces and his spatial understanding are just superb.”
Now 22 years old, Fati has amassed a total of 122 appearances for Barcelona, during which he has scored 29 goals and contributed eight assists. Despite his early success and potential, his development has been inconsistent, largely due to recurring injuries and limited playing opportunities.
In an effort to regain form, Fati spent the previous season on loan with Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League. Unfortunately, the loan spell did not produce the hoped-for resurgence, as he managed just four goals in 27 appearances—an outcome that fell short of expectations.
Still, his performance against Mallorca offered a hopeful glimpse of what could be possible under the right circumstances. With Hansi Flick’s leadership and a tactical approach that encourages dynamic, positionally fluid football, there is a renewed sense of optimism among fans and analysts. Many will be watching closely to see whether Ansu Fati can finally reclaim his place as one of Barcelona’s brightest young stars.
