Ansu Fati: 'La Masia was the best option for me'

Ansu Fati has sat down for an interview with L'Équipe during which he talked about his personal and footballing journey, particularly highlighting the Club's warm welcome from the outset and the La Masia facilities. He also mentioned his first team debut and his relationship with his teammates. Here are a few of the best bits.

Childhood memories

“I grew up with my mother, my brothers and sisters, my cousins, and my maternal grandmother in a house in the district of São Paulo”.

“I recently asked one of my sister's friends to send me a video of the street where we used to live and it wasn't anything like I remembered! I really want to go back and visit".

When he first started playing football

“I started playing in the street with my cousins aged 3 years old. Children have that freedom in Guinea-Bissau almost as soon as they can walk”.

“We usually played barefoot. Those with a bit of money wore plastic sandals. Our ball was made of rolled up socks and away we went. We sometimes got hold of a plastic ball, but it was all over as soon as it hit something sharp”.

His family

“I went on my first flight in 2009 with my mother, two brothers, and my older sister to come to live in Spain”.

“I will always value my father making the effort to go to Europe to earn money for us. The fact I am here today is down to him”.

Beginnings at Barça

“La Masia was the best option, both for football and my education”.

“I arrived in 2012, just after the new La Masia was inaugurated, when the Club was riding high. The facilities were very modern. There was a games room with table tennis, pool... things I'd never seen before. Living at La Masia and working with such outstanding coaches was an incredible experience”.

“My first coach at La Masia, Marc Serra, quickly me made understand what club I was at and that I had to respect my opponents during games. He also encouraged me to score more goals and to be more efficient”.

“I couldn't believe it when I walked into the dressing room and there was Luis (Suárez), Leo (Messi) and all the other players”.

“I didn't sleep much during the week I made my first team debut, I was very tense. I had dreamed about this moment for years and everything was coming true so quickly! I had thought about playing at Camp Nou and scoring a goal so many times…”.

"Leo was waiting in the dressing room to congratulate us on the win after I made my debut against Betis in Seville. I couldn't believe it when he gave me a hug when I walked in! I'll always remember that gesture".

“Over time, I have understood the honour and pride from having broken certain records. I didn't think much about those things because my family were always there before and after games, I just lived my life normally”.

“The directors have warmly welcomed me since day one, like older brothers”.

His teammates

“Jordi Alba and I talked a lot as we often played together on the left side of the pitch. We looked at our own positions, seeing how I could get away from my opponent or how I could cover him when he went forward. Our chemistry is good”.

"Sergio speaks frankly and Piqué always jokes around, I really respect them both”.

Eric García and I played many years together. He was one of the people who helped me adapt to life here and Barça's playing style. I spent a lot of time at his house when I was younger”.

“Me, Pedri, Gavi and others spend a lot of time together away from the club. We go out for a meal whenever we can".