Lionel Messi on Ansu Fati: Barcelona starlet can become 'one of the best'… but give the kid time

AFP/Getty Images
Ben Hayward25 September 2019

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi believes Ansu Fati can become 'one of the best', but has called for calm with the youngster at the Catalan club.

The 16-year-old forward has made a big impact since his debut against Real Betis last month, scoring against Osasuna and Valencia in La Liga and starting for the Blaugrana away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

The Guinea-Bissau born attacker also came off the bench and sparkled in Barca's 2-1 win over Villarreal on Tuesday night, after Messi had earlier gone off with discomfort in his adductor, but the Argentine says he should be brought on gradually at the Catalan club.

"I really like him and I try to help and support him," he told fifa.com in an interview as he won FIFA's The Best on Monday night.

Fati in line to feature on Sunday.
AFP/Getty Images

"He’s an amazing player and he’s got what it takes to succeed.

"But if I look at it through my eyes, I’d like them to bring him on gradually, like they did with me when I started, taking things nice and easy and without putting pressure on him.

"You have to remember that he’s only 16. I hope he keeps on enjoying it and that all the fuss around him doesn’t have a negative impact on him because he has the quality to become one of the best."

Messi made his Barca debut at the age of 17 and back then, both Ronaldinho and coach Frank Rijkaard were important in his development as he settled into life with the first team.

"Ronaldinho and Rijkaard too," he said. "In fact, I’d say the whole team. Everyone helped me in one way or another, especially the coach when he left me out and I used to get annoyed.

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"Now that I’m older I’ve come to understand that was the best thing for me and I’ll always be grateful to him for that. I’ve told him that too. The way he handled me was really important."

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