“A Little Christian”

On January 25, Ansu Fati and his trusted people sat at a table with Xavi Hernández, Barça coach, and the head of the Barça club’s medical services, Dr. Pruna. Ansu had been seriously injured in San Mamés a few days before in the round of 16 of the Cup against Athletic. Nothing less than a rupture in the proximal biceps tendon of the left thigh. Xavi recommended the footballer to go to Finland and undergo surgery with Dr. Lasse Lempeinen, but Ansu had other plans. The striker opted for a conservative treatment under the guidelines of Dr. José Carlos Noronha, who works with the Portuguese Federation, and who was approached by Jorge Mendes; and Joaquín Juan, a famous physiotherapist who began taking care of Pau Gasol and who, from the world of basketball, jumped into football and has taken Cristiano for these years.

From time to time, and although his operation on the inner left meniscus, which was torn in November 2020, was not successful, Ansu still also consults doctor Cugatwho is linked by a good relationship with his closest environment.

Ansu returns to the National Team 19 months later. He debuted when he was not even of legal age and in the second game, without an audience in Valdebebas due to the pandemic against Ukraine, he already showed that he had a star. Luis Enrique knows that better than anyone, who has controlled him since his beginnings at Barça and believes that he can give something different to the National Team.

For Ansu, playing in the World Cup has become an obsession. Those who know him say that, in matters of dedication, “he is a little Cristiano Ronaldo”. Methodical with his work and eating habits.n, gym work has also increased in recent times as a prevention shield against injuries.

For Ansu, working in Madrid is not strange. After breaking down against Celta in November, he spent a month in the capital recovering. Then, after falling against Athletic, he returned with his brother Braima to be close to Joaquín Juan and his trusted people. Although there was a certain buzz about him, and from Barça it slipped that he was wrong for not going through the operating room, he returned on May 1 against Mallorca. He has done it at times, because Xavi, knowing that his case is delicate, has not wanted to force him. He scored a goal against Betis and arrives at the concentration camp after having scored a goal in the friendly that Barça played in Sydney last Wednesday against stars of the Australian league.

Luis Enrique has already warned that he will not take any risk with the Bissau striker and that if he plays it will be at times. His goal is for him to be involved in the dynamics of the team in case this summer he consolidates his recovery and starts the 2022-23 season like a shot. That would open the doors of the World Cup in Qatar. For the forward, it is an illusion and also an obsession. Show himself that he is already in a position to show himself to the world on the biggest date.