Ansu Fati stirs pot before Madrid clash: "Don't wish Mbappé the best, but he's top"
Former Barça wonderkid Ansu Fati discusses facing Real Madrid with Monaco, his views on Mbappé, and his admiration for Lamine Yamal ahead of Champions League showdown.
Monaco’s Spanish forward opens up about facing his old rivals in a Champions League encounter that still feels like a Clásico to him, despite his new surroundings.
Still a Culé at heart
At just 23, Ansu Fati is enjoying something of a renaissance at Monaco after leaving his injury nightmare behind. The former Barcelona wonderkid is set for an emotional reunion with Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and he’s not hiding where his loyalties lie.
“Facing Madrid when you’re from Barça is always a Clásico, it’s not just another match, it’s special,” admitted Fati ahead of the clash. The Spanish forward, who Monaco can permanently sign for a modest €11 million, clearly still bleeds blaugrana despite his French adventure.
On Mbappé: Respect, but no love
When asked about Real Madrid’s superstar Kylian Mbappé, Fati couldn’t help but mix respect with a touch of rivalry:
- Acknowledged Mbappé is widely respected at Monaco, where he began his career
- Jokingly admitted: “I don’t wish him the best for this match”
- Rated the Frenchman among the world’s top three players
This cheeky bit of pre-match needle shows Fati hasn’t lost his Barça DNA despite his move to the principality.
Finding form in France
The Spanish forward is finally getting his career back on track in Ligue 1:
- Scored in his most recent match after returning from a muscle injury
- Has netted 7 goals in 15 appearances this season
- Monaco hold an €11m option to make the move permanent
Praise for La Masia’s latest gem
Fati also had nothing but praise for Barcelona’s current teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, with whom he shared a dressing room before departing Catalunya.
“For how young he is, for everything he’s shown and continues to show… I’ll always wish him the best. Especially coming from La Masia. It’s a source of pride,” Fati said of his former teammate.
The Monaco forward’s comments show that while he’s finding his feet away from Camp Nou, his heart still has a special place for Barcelona and its academy products.